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optogenetics

Light from fiber optic cables are shown.

Featured Genetics

·July 23, 2013·5 min read

Controlling Genes with Light

New technology can rapidly halt or start the expression of genes by shining a light on the cells.

The image shows the dopamine pathway with the nucleus accumbens and frontal cortex highlighted.

Featured Neurology

·July 22, 2013·4 min read

Scientists Identify Key Brain Circuits that Control Compulsive Drinking in Rats

Researchers identify circuitry in the brain which drives compulsive drinking in rats, and likely plays a similar role in humans.

The image shows the measurement of activity across a population of neurons. the caption best describes the image.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 18, 2013·5 min read

Ultrasensitive Calcium Sensors Shine New Light on Neuron Activity

Researchers were able to visualize neuronal activity, thanks to a new protein which fluoresces brightly each time it senses calcium.

This is a diagram of the prefronal cortex.

Featured Psychology

·June 27, 2013·5 min read

Breaking Habits Before They Start

Using optogenetics to control cells in the IL cortex, researchers were able to 'block' habits from forming.

The image shows a light beam shining onto a neuron.

Featured Psychology

·June 6, 2013·4 min read

Compulsive No More

Researchers use optogenetics to control compulsive behavior in mice. The results could help to develop new treatments such as OCD and Tourette's syndrome.

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.

The image shows the optogenetic LED device being threaded through the eye of a needle.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 11, 2013·4 min read

Tiny Wireless Device Shines Light on Mouse Brain, Generating Reward

Researchers implant optogenetic electronic device into mouse brains, stimulating dopamine producing neurons by emitting light.

Featured Neurology Open Neuroscience Articles

·January 24, 2013·2 min read

Neuroscientists Create Fiber Optic Method of Arresting Epileptic Seizures in Mice

UC Irvine neuroscientists have developed a way to stop epileptic seizures with fiber-optic light signals, heralding a novel opportunity to treat the most severe manifestations of the brain disorder.

Electrophysiology Featured Neuroscience

·January 18, 2013·2 min read

Scientists Build a Microimplant that Uses a Laser to Control Individual Nerve Cells

Scientists developed an implant that is able to genetically modify specific nerve cells, control them with light stimuli, and measure their electrical activity all at the same time.

Featured Neuroscience

·October 26, 2012·2 min read

Stimulating Brain Cells with Light

The work will be conducted on laboratory rats modelling Parkinson’s disease. The transplanted cells will be derived from skin from an adult human and will have been “reprogrammed” as nerve cells. The light-sensitive protein is obtained from a bacterium, which uses light to gain energy.

Electrophysiology Featured Neuroscience

·October 8, 2012·2 min read

Discovery of Gatekeeper Nerve Cells Explains the Effect of Nicotine on Learning and Memory

Researchers discovered a new group of nerve cells that regulate processes of learning and memory. These cells act as gatekeepers and carry a receptor for nicotine, which can help explain our ability to remember and sort information. The newly discovered gatekeeper nerve cells, also called OLM-alpha2 cells, provide an explanation to how the flow of information is controlled in the hippocampus.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 6, 2012·4 min read

Brain’s Stem Cells Eavesdrop to Find Out When to Act

Working with mice, Johns Hopkins researchers say they have figured out how stem cells found in a part of the brain responsible for learning, memory and mood regulation decide to remain dormant or create new brain cells. Apparently, the stem cells “listen in” on the chemical communication among nearby neurons to get an idea about what is stressing the system and when they need to act.

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optogenetics

Controlling Genes with Light

Scientists Identify Key Brain Circuits that Control Compulsive Drinking in Rats

Ultrasensitive Calcium Sensors Shine New Light on Neuron Activity

Breaking Habits Before They Start

Compulsive No More

Physicist’s Tool has Potential for Brain Mapping

Tiny Wireless Device Shines Light on Mouse Brain, Generating Reward

Neuroscientists Create Fiber Optic Method of Arresting Epileptic Seizures in Mice

Scientists Build a Microimplant that Uses a Laser to Control Individual Nerve Cells

Stimulating Brain Cells with Light

Discovery of Gatekeeper Nerve Cells Explains the Effect of Nicotine on Learning and Memory

Brain’s Stem Cells Eavesdrop to Find Out When to Act

How Scientists Cracked the Ketamine Code for Depression

Brain Prioritizes “Sound Offsets” During Hearing Repair

Glucose Levels Signal the Growth of Myelin

Why Your Brain “Dreams” Even When You’re Awake

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