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optogenetics

·July 22, 2019·2 min read

Hypothalamus pathway drives defense behaviors

A newly discovered pathway that links the hypothalamus and midbrain drives innate defense behaviors. The findings could have implications for developing therapies for anxiety disorders.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·July 18, 2019·5 min read

Stimulating neurons to induce particular perceptions in mice’s minds

Using optogenetics, researchers stimulated neurons in the visual cortex of mice to induce illusory images in the animals' minds.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·July 5, 2019·5 min read

Researchers controlled the behavior in a mouse’s brain with single-cell precision

Using holographic optogenetics, researchers were able to control visual behavior in mice by activating neurons in the visual cortex.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 24, 2019·5 min read

Settling the debate on serotonin’s role in sleep

Serotonin produced by the raphe is critical for sleep in both mice and zebrafish. The firing of neurons in the raphe and the release of serotonin may help the brain build up better sleep pressure. The results may explain why some sleep-related side effects of antidepressants increase serotonin in the brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 13, 2019·4 min read

Researchers identify hidden brain signals behind working memory

Artificially prolonging hippocampal sharp wave ripples improves working memory.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·May 23, 2019·6 min read

Proof it’s possible to enhance or suppress memories

Using optogenetics to stimulate different areas of the hippocampus has the ability to enhance or suppress memories in mice. The findings could have implications for suppressing memories associated with traumatic events in PTSD, and also in enhancing cognitive ability or improving memory for those with neurodegenerative diseases, in the future.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain

·May 16, 2019·2 min read

The insular cortex processes, and drives learning from pain

Using optogenetics to 'switch off' the insular cortex in mice experiencing a painful event resulted in a less fearful reaction to pain. The ability of the mice to learn avoidance from the pain event was also reduced.

This shows the network from the gustatory thalamus to the cortex in mice

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 7, 2019·3 min read

Neurons that encode sweetness identified: Mouse study

SatB2PBN-expressing neurons in the parabrachial nucleus play a key role in processing and encoding sweet tastes. The SatB2PBN neurons relay sweet taste signals from the gustatory thalamus to the cortex in mouse models.

This shows AAN activation in the supraoptic nucleus

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·April 18, 2019·4 min read

General anesthesia hijacks sleep circuitry to knock you out

Study reveals anesthesia activated neurons have been discovered in the hypothalamus. Activation of AANs promotes slow-wave sleep, extending the effects of anesthesia, while inhibition of AANs shortens the duration of general anesthetics and disrupts natural sleep.

This shows the motor and sensory areas of the brain

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 11, 2019·3 min read

New role for sensory signals in the brain

Optogenetic stimulation causes signals in the sensory cortex to halt actions during a behavioral task, while altering signals in the motor cortex to cause mice to act more impulsively.

This shows the outline of a head and a light bulb

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Psychology

·April 11, 2019·3 min read

Shining lasers on mouse brains sheds light on cells central to Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia

Optogenetic stimulation of parvalbumin cells resulted in a reduction of local blood flow and volume. The findings could shed new light on the neurobiological underpinnings of Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.