Behavioral Social Neuroscience Seminar

How is the brain wired and how does the wiring contribute to its function, in health and in disease? Dr. Gradinaru will present: 1) the development of potent neuronal optogenetic activators and inhibitors and promoter-free projection-based targeting of optogenes in genetically non-tractable brain circuits; 2) disease-relevant applications of optogenetics; and 3) translational directions for optogenetics. Optogenetics was successfully used to provide insight into the mechanism behind deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease. Unlike electrical stimulation, optogenetic manipulations are highly cell-type specific. Combined with detailed connectivity maps, information about the roles of specific cell types in DBS mechanisms can be used to improve the parameters for electrode placement and stimulation in patients.