Optogenetic stimulation: Understanding memory and treating deficits

Technology allowing genetically targeted cells to be modulated by light has revolutionized neuroscience in the past decade, and given rise to the field of optogenetic stimulation. For this, non‐native, light activated proteins (e.g., channelrhodopsin) are expressed in a specific cell phenotype (e.g....

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Main Authors: Barnett, SC, Perry, BAL, Dalrymple-Alford, JC, Parr-Brownlie, LC
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018
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author Barnett, SC
Perry, BAL
Dalrymple-Alford, JC
Parr-Brownlie, LC
author_facet Barnett, SC
Perry, BAL
Dalrymple-Alford, JC
Parr-Brownlie, LC
author_sort Barnett, SC
collection OXFORD
description Technology allowing genetically targeted cells to be modulated by light has revolutionized neuroscience in the past decade, and given rise to the field of optogenetic stimulation. For this, non‐native, light activated proteins (e.g., channelrhodopsin) are expressed in a specific cell phenotype (e.g., glutamatergic neurons) in a subset of central nervous system nuclei, and short pulses of light of a narrow wavelength (e.g., blue, 473 nm) are used to modulate cell activity. Cell activity can be increased or decreased depending on which light activated protein is used. We review how the greater precision provided by optogenetics has transformed the study of neural circuits, in terms of cognition and behavior, with a focus on learning and memory. We also explain how optogenetic modulation is facilitating a better understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of some neurological and psychiatric conditions. Based on this research, we suggest that optogenetics may provide tools to improve memory in neurological conditions, particularly diencephalic amnesia and Alzheimer's disease.
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spelling oxford-uuid:86bf65ac-7fdc-42be-959f-0f4f7702a16f2023-09-19T13:07:07ZOptogenetic stimulation: Understanding memory and treating deficitsJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:86bf65ac-7fdc-42be-959f-0f4f7702a16fEnglishSymplectic ElementsWiley2018Barnett, SCPerry, BALDalrymple-Alford, JCParr-Brownlie, LCTechnology allowing genetically targeted cells to be modulated by light has revolutionized neuroscience in the past decade, and given rise to the field of optogenetic stimulation. For this, non‐native, light activated proteins (e.g., channelrhodopsin) are expressed in a specific cell phenotype (e.g., glutamatergic neurons) in a subset of central nervous system nuclei, and short pulses of light of a narrow wavelength (e.g., blue, 473 nm) are used to modulate cell activity. Cell activity can be increased or decreased depending on which light activated protein is used. We review how the greater precision provided by optogenetics has transformed the study of neural circuits, in terms of cognition and behavior, with a focus on learning and memory. We also explain how optogenetic modulation is facilitating a better understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of some neurological and psychiatric conditions. Based on this research, we suggest that optogenetics may provide tools to improve memory in neurological conditions, particularly diencephalic amnesia and Alzheimer's disease.
spellingShingle Barnett, SC
Perry, BAL
Dalrymple-Alford, JC
Parr-Brownlie, LC
Optogenetic stimulation: Understanding memory and treating deficits
title Optogenetic stimulation: Understanding memory and treating deficits
title_full Optogenetic stimulation: Understanding memory and treating deficits
title_fullStr Optogenetic stimulation: Understanding memory and treating deficits
title_full_unstemmed Optogenetic stimulation: Understanding memory and treating deficits
title_short Optogenetic stimulation: Understanding memory and treating deficits
title_sort optogenetic stimulation understanding memory and treating deficits
work_keys_str_mv AT barnettsc optogeneticstimulationunderstandingmemoryandtreatingdeficits
AT perrybal optogeneticstimulationunderstandingmemoryandtreatingdeficits
AT dalrymplealfordjc optogeneticstimulationunderstandingmemoryandtreatingdeficits
AT parrbrownlielc optogeneticstimulationunderstandingmemoryandtreatingdeficits