Millisecond-timescale, genetically targeted optical control of neural activity.

To understand how brain states and behaviors are generated by neural circuits, it would be useful to be able to perturb precisely the activity of specific cell types and pathways in the nonhuman primate nervous system. We used lentivirus to target…

Genetically targeted neurons in brain expressing light sensitive channel Channelrhodopsin can be stimulated optically. We report a novel optical waveguide probe for simultaneous optical stimulation and electrical recording of neurons to modulate…

We present an optically addressed electrical stimulation device for neuron control with single cell resolution and millisecond temporal resolution. This system allows dynamic study of interconnected neural network at single neuron level.

Members of the microbial opsin gene family have emerged recently as crucial tools for "optogenetics," a new neuroscience technology. "Optogenetics" can be defined as the integration of optics and genetics to control well-defined events (such as…

Calcium signaling is studied as a potential form of astrocyte excitability that may control astrocyte involvement in synaptic and cerebrovascular regulation. Fundamental questions remain unanswered about astrocyte calcium signaling, as current…

Optically gated ion channels were expressed in circumscribed groups of neurons in the Drosophila CNS so that broad illumination of flies evoked action potentials only in genetically designated target cells. Flies harboring the "phototriggers" in…

Inducible and reversible perturbation of the activity of selected neurons in vivo is critical to understanding the dynamics of brain circuits. Several genetically encoded systems for rapid inducible neuronal silencing have been developed in the past…

Advances in optics, genetics, and chemistry have enabled the investigation of brain function at all levels, from intracellular signals to single synapses, whole cells, circuits, and behavior. Until recent years, these research tools have been…

Successful operation of brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and brain-machine interfaces (BMI) depends significantly on the degree to which neural activity can be volitionally controlled. This paper reviews evidence for such volitional control in a…

Successful operation of braincomputer interfaces (BCI) and brainmachine interfaces (BMI) depends significantly on the degree to which neural activity can be volitionally controlled. This paper reviews evidence for such volitional control in a…