Optogenetics

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

• controlling neurons with light
• Channelrhodopsin 2 are light sensitive proteins in the brain
• can activate neurons with light
• channelrh2 embedded into axon
• Take gene + promoter + put into virus
• To activate the protein all you need sight
• genetically modifying neurons to express light sensitive proteins
• proteins temporarily s change shape when exposed to light, altering cell beh
• Has moderate spatial resolution + very good temporal

Question 2

Optogenetics + Anxiety (Tye et al) - Methods

Answer 2

• Mice when anxious hug side of boy
• Mice explore centre of the box when less anxious- beh more erratic
• ## Light makes mouse less anxious because it effects a process in amygdala

Question 3

spatial resolution

Answer 3

• Ability to distinguish between 2 separate areas of the brain spatially

Question 4

Temporal resolution

Answer 4

• Ability to distinguish the timing of different events in the brain