Optogenetics Flashcards
define optogenetics:
- use of light to regulate activity of neurons
optogenetics: how does it work?
- cells genetically engineered to possess light responsive ion channels= control neuronal activity
- these ion channels cloned from organisms responsive to light
optogenetics: eg. used (2) and ions
green algae: channelrhodopsins (+ve ions)
halobacteria: archaerhodopsins (proton pumps- remove +ve ions)
optogenetics: method to inject
- virus carrying specific opsin (channelrhodopsin) and identifier for specific neuron type (promoter) injected into brain area to infect cells of interest
optogenetics: how to activate ion channels
- using lasers
- alters activity of infected neurons
optogenetics: light wave/ freq and which commonly used?
- electromagnetic radiation many freq, can only see small proportion
- common colours used: blue, yellow, green
optogenetics: to activate use which light and action caused- channelrhodopsin (ChR2)
- blue light
- lets +ve ions into cell
- cell stimulated
optogenetics: to activate use which light and action caused- halorhodopsin (NpHR)
- orange/yellow light
- lets Cl- ions in
- cell inhibited
optogenetics: to activate use which light and action caused- achaerhodopsin (Arch)
- orange/yellow light
- pumps +ve ions out
- inhibits cell
optogenetics: opsins tagged w wat? eg.
- tagged w fluorescent protein so visualise infected neurons under microscope
- ensures labelled correct cells w channels
eg. green fluorescent protein (GFR) or mCherry
optogenetics: how to check functioning of channel
- electrophysiology
optogenetics: why use it?
- electrical stimulation affects all neurons in area, incl fibres of passage
- neuropharm: all neurons w that type of receptor in area drug is administered
- optogenetics: specific to neuron/circuit u r targeting (others not affected)
optogenetics: process of using opsin to find circuitry
- virus injected into B
- opsin expressed through B (also fibres to A and C)
- by laser activating B axons on A, corresponding B cell bodies r affected
- by activating terminals at A only affecting neurons that come from B (where virus was injected)
optogenetics: process involving locus coeruleus (LC) and amygdala
- virus w photosensitive channels in LC
- while plant optrode (holds optic fibre in place) in amygdala
= only neurons from LC to amygdala will be stimulated
optogenetics: bidirectional control of neurons process
- mixed viral injection of opsins w diff lightwave spctrum into mixed pop of B (activator, inhibitor opsins)
- opsin expression in B cell bodies to A and C
- differentiate which opsin activated by using diff coloured lasers, due to photosensitivity of ion channels to diff wavelengths of light
optogenetics: use in humans and eg. (4)
- possibly used
- similar invasive procedure of deep brain stimulation, optic tech to target particular neuron type
- schizophrenia
- anxiety
- depression
- drug addiction
anxiety vs fear response features
- universal human emotion, necessary to adapt to env
fear: defensive behaviours, arousal, -ve emotions
anxiety: reactions due to anticipation of -ve event
fear: subcortical and features- immediate response to a threat
- subcortical
- visual, auditory stimuli reach thalamus, travel to amygdala
- amyg alerts other brain structures (hypothalamus- HPA axis and locus coeruleus: LC)
- surge in cortisol and nAd = sweaty palms, tachycardia, increased BP
fight or flight response
fear: cortical and features- cognitive processing immediate response to a threat
- cortical
- info sent from thalamus - cortex and basal ganglia for cognitive processing
- regions analyse raw data from sensory organs and decide dis/continue fear response
- if maintained response: amyg remains on alert (helps make further appropriate behavioural responses)