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ChR2

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 6, 2020·2 min read

Optogenetic Stimulation of the Motor Cortex Successfully Induced Arm Movements in Monkeys

Researchers induced arm movements in macaque monkeys by using optogenetics to target the motor cortex.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 22, 2017·4 min read

Activating Brain Region Creates Intense Desire to Use Cocaine

Using optogenetics to stimulate the amygdala, researchers intensify the desire to consume cocaine in rats.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 26, 2017·5 min read

Shining Light on Brain Cells That Coordinate Movement

Researchers have developed a novel technique that allows them to insert a gene into Perkinje cells in the adult brain. This approach, researchers say, could be used to change behavior and alter the function of brain circuits.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 25, 2016·6 min read

Activating Certain Neurons May Spur Recovery From General Anesthesia

Using optogenetics to activate dopamine receptors in the ventral tegmental area could help people regain consciousness following general anesthesia, researchers report.

The image shows neurons expressing acetylcholine and ChR2. The caption best describes this image.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·December 29, 2014·4 min read

Using Light to Produce Natural Sleep Patterns

Researchers trigger REM sleep in mice using optogenetics, a new study reports.

This image shows a drawing of a spinal cord.

Featured

·November 7, 2014·4 min read

Striking the Cord: Optical Control of Motor Functions

Researchers develop a highly flexible neural probe, created from polymers, which can both record and optically stimulate neural activity in the spinal cord of mice.

The image shows a brain with light beams entering it.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 16, 2013·2 min read

Physicist’s Tool has Potential for Brain Mapping

Researchers have developed a fiber-optic, two-photon optogenetic simulator which can be used to stimulate a light sensitive protein introduced into neurons and living cells in the brain. The researchers suggest this technology would be a useful tool for the BRAIN mapping initiative.