Optogenetic silencing strategies differ in their effects on inhibitory synaptic transmission

Abstract

Optogenetic silencing using light-driven ion fluxes permits rapid and effective inhibition of neural activity. Using rodent hippocampal neurons, we found that silencing activity with a chloride pump can increase the probability of synaptically evoked spiking after photoactivation; this did not occur with a proton pump. This effect can be accounted for by changes to the GABA A receptor reversal potential and demonstrates an important difference between silencing strategies. © 2012 Nature America, Inc. All rights reserved.