IEEE Rev Biomed Eng. 2014;7:3-30. doi: 10.1109/RBME.2013.2294796.
The brain is a large network of interconnected neurons where each cell functions as a nonlinear processing element. Unraveling the mysteries of information processing in the complex networks of the brain requires versatile neurostimulation and imaging techniques. Optogenetics is a new stimulation method which allows the activity of neurons to be modulated by light. For this purpose, the cell-types of interest are genetically targeted to produce light-sensitive proteins. Once these proteins are expressed, neural activity can be controlled by exposing the cells to light of appropriate wavelengths. Optogenetics provides a unique combination of features, including multimodal control over neural function and genetic targeting of specific cell-types. Together, these versatile features combine to a powerful experimental approach, suitable for the study of the circuitry of psychiatric and neurological disorders. The advent of optogenetics was followed by extensive research aimed to produce new lines of light-sensitive proteins and to develop new technologies: for example, to control the distribution of light inside the brain tissue or to combine optogenetics with other modalities including electrophysiology, electrocorticography, nonlinear microscopy, and functional magnetic resonance imaging. In this paper, the authors review some of the recent advances in the field of optogenetics and related technologies and provide their vision for the future of the field.
大脑是一个由相互连接的神经元组成的大型网络，其中每个细胞都作为一个非线性处理元件发挥作用。要揭示大脑复杂网络中信息处理的奥秘，需要多功能的神经刺激和成像技术。光遗传学是一种新的刺激方法，它允许通过光来调节神经元的活动。为此，目标细胞类型被遗传靶向以产生对光敏感的蛋白质。一旦这些蛋白质被表达，就可以通过暴露细胞于适当波长的光来控制神经活动。光遗传学提供了独特的功能组合，包括对神经功能的多模态控制和对特定细胞类型的遗传靶向。这些多功能特性结合在一起，形成了一种强大的实验方法，适用于研究精神和神经疾病的电路。光遗传学的出现引发了广泛的研究，旨在产生新的光敏感蛋白，并开发新技术：例如，控制脑组织内的光分布，或结合光遗传学与其他模态，包括电生理学、脑电描记术、非线性显微镜和功能磁共振成像。在本文中，作者回顾了光遗传学及相关技术领域的一些最新进展，并对该领域的未来提出了他们的看法。
