optogenetics a light switch for brain
Post on 09-Apr-2017
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Optogenetics A Light Switch for the
Brain
What is Optogenetics?
Optogenetics is an emerging field that combines optics and genetic engineering. It helps better understanding of the brain functions and even controlling it.
“It paves the way for new therapies that could target a number of psychiatric disorders
HistoryOptogenetics is the integration of optics and genetics to achieve gain of previous loss of function of events within cells of living tissue
Optogenetics was first invented in 2006 at Standford by Karl Deisseroth, MD
How it worksUse channel rhodopsin gene to excited the nerve when light hits the nerve
Use halo rhodopsin gene to inhibited the nerve when light hits the nerve
Six Steps of Optogenetics
Create a genetic construct
Insert construct into virus
Inject virus into
Insert optrode fiberoptic cable plus electrode
Laser light opens ion channel in neurons
Record behavioral results
Pros Optogenetics is less invasive than electrical stimulationResponse time is faster than other treatmentsActivate or stop certain groups of neurons in the circuits with a precise electrophysiology
Possible cures for:
Anxiety
Addiction
Chronic pain
Sleep disorders
Attention Deficit Disorder
Migraine
The advantage of the field
The beauty of this optogenetic technique is its specificity
The virus is only injected into a very small part of the brain, and only a certain class of neurons. The sharp laser beam further zeros in on a small portion of the brain.
Drugs and electrodes have a much broader reach
the technique has been used to control and explore neural circuits in fish, flies and rodents
ConsLimitations include the introducing a foreign gene into the human brain
Fiber optics could pose the threat of infection and being uncomfortable and having to carry heavy batteriesCost Reports of depression and causing falls
Assumed future benefits of optogenetics
Knowing what causes the brain of Alzheimer patients to fail.
using light-emitting neural prosthetics to replace the electrodes used in deep brain stimulation, which currently activate or silence a broad range of neurons.
treatment of Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and depression
Ethical issueswould optogenetics be used for mind-altering drugs for personal recreation or for making criminals more compliant?
Who would regulate the techniques and products made possible by optogenetics?
These questions do not have easy answers and the more complex optogenetics becomes, the tougher the questions get.
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