Optogenetic deconstructing the mechanism of neuroplasticity modulated by repetitive cortical stimulation

Abstract

Cortical Theta burst stimulation (TBS) may modulate dopamine-dependent corticostriatal plasticity via long-term potentiation/depression (LTP/LTD) -like mechanism. This gives TBS a therapeutic potential for Parkinson’s disease (PD) and other neural disorder. To unravel the mechanism beneath TBS-induced neuroplasticity, a novel optogenetic simulating method will be applied. CaMKII promoter-driven channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) will be delivered into glutamatergic pyramidal neuron in motor cortex by lentivirus. Under emitting of precisely controlled blue laser guided by fiber optics, the excitatory circuit in layer V will be elicited with TBS paradigm. Cortical excitabilities were examined by measuring optogenetic simulation-evoked potential and motor-evoked potential (MEP). In summary, we proposed a novel optical-TBS rodent model, which revealed the function role of glutamatergic circuit in motor plasticity.