A to Z

optogenetics

·January 31, 2018·4 min read

‘Anxiety Cells’ Identified in the Hippocampus

Researchers reveal in mice, certain cells within the hippocampus fire when the animal is anxious and this triggers anxiety related behaviors to occur.

Image shows location of medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala in the human brain.

Electrophysiology Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 20, 2016·4 min read

4Hz Oscillations Synchronize Prefrontal Amygdala Circuits During Fear Behavior

Researchers show freezing behavior associated with feat is associated with an internally generated brain state that manifests in sustained 4 Hz oscillatory dynamics in the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex-basolateral amygdala circuits.

The image shows a zebrafish with optical fiber coming out of its head.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 20, 2014·3 min read

A Neural Basis for Avoiding Threats

Using optogenetics, researchers identify a neural pathway which makes helps make learning to avoid unpleasant situations possible.

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos

·July 14, 2017·3 min read

A Neural Switch for Becoming Alpha Male

A new report in Science identifies a neural circuit in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex of mouse brains that may play a key role in social dominance. Using optogenetics, researchers were able to target neurons in the dmPFC to help boost a mouse's chance of 'winning' in an aggressive encounter.

Featured Neuroscience

·November 13, 2021·3 min read

A New Neural-Optic System Can Manipulate Memories

A new neuro-optics technique can manipulate memory consolidation in mouse models by hindering long-term potentiation. Researchers say eliminating local LTP in the hippocampus erased memories. The method could be used to isolate memory formation at the cellular level.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 24, 2017·7 min read

A New Theory of Memory Formation

Researchers propose a new theory of memory formation, reporting memory storage does not rely on the strengthening of connection between memory cells, but on the pattern of connections that form within the first few minutes of an event.

Images shows the location of the visual cortex in the brain.

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos Visual Neuroscience

·March 25, 2015·3 min read

A Non Visual Opsin Could Help Future Studies of the Brain and CNS

Researchers have discovered a light sensitive opsin protein that could play a critical role in neuron maturation.

Image shows researchers looking into a microscope.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 8, 2016·3 min read

A Novel Optogenetic Tool

Researchers use optogenetics to successfully switch specific G-protein coupled signalling pathways on and off.

Electrophysiology Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 2, 2020·3 min read

A remote control for neurons

Researchers synthesized 3D fuzzy graphene on a nanowire template to create new material for photothermally stimulating cells.

This shows the outline of a woman's head and brain

Featured Neuroscience

·April 11, 2022·8 min read

A Single Memory Is Stored Across Many Connected Brain Regions

Brain mapping study reveals memory engrams are widely distributed throughout the brain, including among regions not previously realized.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 27, 2017·6 min read

A Snapshot of Neural Activity

A new neuron labeling technique allows researchers to obtain a snapshot of their activity at any moment in time. The new approach could provide new insights into neural functioning by offering better precision than current, more long term, labeling techniques.