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Updated: Mar 11, 2026
In vivo Optogenetic Stimulation of the Rodent Central Nervous System
Published on: January 15, 2015
Characterization of fiber-optic light delivery and light-induced temperature changes in a rodent brain for precise
Younghoon Shin1, Minsu Yoo2, Hyung-Sun Kim3
1Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), 123 Cheomdan-Gwagiro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju 61005, South Korea.
Abstract:
Understanding light intensity and temperature increase is of considerable importance in designing or performing in vivo optogenetic experiments. Our study describes the optimal light power at target depth in the rodent brain that would maximize activation of light-gated ion channels while minimizing temperature increase. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of light delivery were used to provide a guideline for suitable light power at a target depth. In addition, MC simulations with the Pennes bio-heat model using data obtained from measurements with a temperature-measuring cannula having 12.3 mV/°C of thermoelectric sensitivity enabled us to predict tissue heating of 0.116 °C/mW on average at target depth of 563 μm and specifically, a maximum mean plateau temperature increase of 0.25 °C/mW at 100 μm depth for 473 nm light. Our study will help to improve the design and performance of optogenetic experiments while avoiding potential over- and under-illumination.
