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Controlling Neuronal Activity

Schneider, M. Bret and Gradinaru, Viviana and Zhang, Feng and Deisseroth, Karl (2008) Controlling Neuronal Activity. American Journal of Psychiatry, 165 (5). p. 562. ISSN 0002-953X. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2008.08030444. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20121206-101209730

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Abstract

With a new technology called optogenetics, it is possible to turn neuronal activity on and off in distinct neuronal populations, using cell-type specific, optically-sensitive, molecular, neuronal activity "switches." These "switches" are microbial, light-sensitive ion conductance-regulating proteins, exemplified by channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and halorhodopsin (NpHR). They are individually introduced into neuronal populations in the brain and become part of the cellular machinery. Ion flux-regulating activity of these “switches” can be controlled externally with light pulses. ChR2 is a cation channel that allows sodium ions to pass into a neuron after it has been activated by approximately 470 nm blue light (thereby increasing activity of the neuron and increasing action potentials). NpHR is a chloride pump that transfers chloride anions into the neuron after it has been activated by approximately 580 nm yellow light (thereby increasing accumulation of negative charge inside the cell and suppressing activity of the neuron). For application of this technology, light of the proper wavelength is delivered to the brain region of interest using a fiberoptic-based system or a light-emitting diode (LED). ChR2 and NpHR can be controlled independently to either increase action-potential firing of specific target neurons or to suppress neural activity, respectively, in intact tissue. In animal experiments, the LED or fiberoptic can be tethered to an external power source with lightweight flexible connectors, allowing stimulation during normal, freely moving behavior. The genes encoding these proteins are introduced into the brain with viral vectors and are expressed in distinct populations of neurons in vivo using specific DNA promoters fused to the gene, thereby guiding expression only in the cell type of choice.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2008.08030444 DOIArticle
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleID=99793PublisherArticle
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Gradinaru, Viviana0000-0001-5868-348X
Additional Information:© 2008 American Psychiatric Association.
Issue or Number:5
DOI:10.1176/appi.ajp.2008.08030444
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20121206-101209730
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20121206-101209730
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:35849
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:07 Dec 2012 22:29
Last Modified:09 Nov 2021 23:18

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