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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Optogenetic Manipulation of Neuronal Activity to Modulate Behavior in Freely Moving Mice
14:40

Optogenetic Manipulation of Neuronal Activity to Modulate Behavior in Freely Moving Mice

Published on: October 27, 2020

Optogenetic insights into striatal function and behavior.

Jeffrey D Lenz1, Mary Kay Lobo

  • 1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.

Behavioural Brain Research
|May 1, 2013
PubMed
Summary

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Optogenetics precisely manipulates neuronal activity in the striatum, revealing cell-specific roles in motor control and reward. These findings offer critical insights into neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Optogenetics
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • The striatum, a basal ganglia component, is crucial for motor control and motivation.
  • It is implicated in Parkinson's, Huntington's disease, addiction, depression, and schizophrenia.
  • Optogenetics allows precise temporal control of neuronal activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how optogenetic tools elucidate the functions of striatal cell subpopulations and afferents.
  • To highlight the clinical relevance of these findings for neurological and psychiatric diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing optogenetics in transgenic animal models to manipulate neuronal firing and signaling.
  • Investigating distinct striatal medium spiny neuron (MSN) subpopulations, interneurons, and afferents.
Keywords:
DstrFSLTSMSNMedium spiny neuronsMotor ControlNAcOptogeneticsRewardSNStriatumTANTonically active cholinergic interneuronsVTAdorsal striatumfast spiking interneuronlow threshold spiking interneuronmedium spiny neuronnucleus accumbenssubstantia nigratonically active cholinergic interneuronventral tegmental area

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In Vivo Wireless Optogenetic Control of Skilled Motor Behavior
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In Vivo Wireless Optogenetic Control of Skilled Motor Behavior

Published on: November 22, 2021

Ex Vivo Optogenetic Interrogation of Long-Range Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity from Medial Prefrontal Cortex to Lateral Entorhinal Cortex
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Ex Vivo Optogenetic Interrogation of Long-Range Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity from Medial Prefrontal Cortex to Lateral Entorhinal Cortex

Published on: February 25, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Optogenetic Manipulation of Neuronal Activity to Modulate Behavior in Freely Moving Mice
14:40

Optogenetic Manipulation of Neuronal Activity to Modulate Behavior in Freely Moving Mice

Published on: October 27, 2020

In Vivo Wireless Optogenetic Control of Skilled Motor Behavior
07:52

In Vivo Wireless Optogenetic Control of Skilled Motor Behavior

Published on: November 22, 2021

Ex Vivo Optogenetic Interrogation of Long-Range Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity from Medial Prefrontal Cortex to Lateral Entorhinal Cortex
11:31

Ex Vivo Optogenetic Interrogation of Long-Range Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity from Medial Prefrontal Cortex to Lateral Entorhinal Cortex

Published on: February 25, 2022

  • Analyzing roles of glutamatergic and dopaminergic inputs, and signaling molecules like Rac1.

    • Main Results:

    • Confirmed direct/indirect pathway MSNs' roles in movement and reward.
    • Identified specific roles for certain interneurons (TANs) in cocaine reward.
    • Dissected the influence of striatal inputs and signaling molecules on reward and plasticity.

    Conclusions:

    • Optogenetics provides unprecedented insight into striatal circuitry and behavior.
    • Understanding cell-specific functions is key to developing treatments for striatal-related disorders.
    • This evolving technology offers clinically relevant implications for brain disease research.