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Genetic strategies to access activated neurons
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Biology, Stanford University, United States.
Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|June 4, 2017
Summary
Neuroscientists can now target specific active neurons using genetic tools to understand brain circuits and behavior. This approach reveals neuronal function, connectivity, and roles in memory and decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Systems Neuroscience
Background:
- Understanding neural circuits requires detailed analysis of neuronal ensembles.
- Genetically-encoded tools enable precise characterization of molecularly-defined neuronal types.
- Functional heterogeneity of molecularly-defined neurons necessitates activity-based targeting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review genetic strategies for accessing and analyzing activated neurons.
- To explore methods for characterizing neuronal functional properties, molecular profiles, and connectivity.
- To discuss the causal roles of activated neurons in behavior and future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Review of genetic strategies for targeting activated neurons.
- Characterization of functional properties, molecular profiles, and connectivity.
- Analysis of causal roles in sensory-coding, memory, and valence-encoding.
Main Results:
- Genetic strategies allow detailed analysis of activated neuronal populations.
- These methods facilitate understanding of neuronal roles in complex behaviors.
- Future improvements will enable brain-wide activity screening.
Conclusions:
- Activity-based targeting is crucial for elucidating the neural basis of behavior.
- Genetic tools provide powerful means to investigate neural circuits.
- Further development will enhance our ability to study adaptive and maladaptive behaviors.
