Cited by 692Photoreceptor and optogenetics researchNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeuroscience and Neural Engineering

Optogenetic interrogation of neural circuits: technology for probing mammalian brain structures

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Zhang, Feng, Gradinaru, Viviana, Adamantidis, Antoine R, Durand, Remy, Airan, Raag D, de Lecea, Luis, Deisseroth, Karl·2010·Nature Protocols

Abstract

Elucidation of the neural substrates underlying complex animal behaviors depends on precise activity control tools, as well as compatible readout methods. Recent developments in optogenetics have addressed this need, opening up new possibilities for systems neuroscience. Interrogation of even deep neural circuits can be conducted by directly probing the necessity and sufficiency of defined circuit elements with millisecond-scale, cell type-specific optical perturbations, coupled with suitable readouts such as electrophysiology, optical circuit dynamics measures and freely moving behavior in mammals. Here we collect in detail our strategies for delivering microbial opsin genes to deep mammalian brain structures in vivo, along with protocols for integrating the resulting optical control with compatible readouts (electrophysiological, optical and behavioral). The procedures described here, from initial virus preparation to systems-level functional readout, can be completed within 4-5 weeks. Together, these methods may help in providing circuit-level insight into the dynamics underlying complex mammalian behaviors in health and disease.

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  1. [74]Petreanu L Mao T Sternson SM Svoboda K The subcellular organization of neocortical excitatory connections Nature 457 1142 1145 2009 19151697 PMC2745650
  2. [75]Lima SQ Hromadka T Znamenskiy P Zador AM PINP: a new method of tagging neuronal populations for identification during in vivo electrophysiological recording PLoS One 4 e6099 2009 19584920 PMC2702752

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Authors
Zhang, F., Gradinaru, V., Adamantidis, A. R., Durand, R., Airan, R. D., de Lecea, L., & Deisseroth, K.
Affiliations
  • Stanford University (US)
  • Stanford Medicine (US)
Corresponding author
Deisseroth, Karl
Venue
Nature Protocols
Published
2010-02-18
Volume
5
Issue
3
Pages
439-456
ISSN
  • 1750-2799 (ISSN-L)
  • 1754-2189
OpenAlex
W2115859705
Cited by
692
References
78
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 53 · 2017: 46 · 2016: 64 · 2015: 68 · 2014: 63 · 2013: 65 · 2012: 55
FWCI
24.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Protocols (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • CaltechAUTHORS (California Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion)
  • Bern Open Repository and Information System (University of Bern) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (DP1OD000616)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (F31NS059160, K99NS065009)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
Keywords
optogenetics, neural circuits, microbial opsins, viral gene delivery, deep brain structures, mammalian behavior, electrophysiology, systems neuroscience
MeSH terms
Animals, Brain, Cell Line, Genetic Vectors, Humans, Mammals, Nerve Net, Rhodopsin, Protein Engineering, Gene Expression, Mice, Rats, Optical Phenomena, Electrophysiological Phenomena, In Vitro Techniques

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