The phenomenon by which living organisms detect and perceive optogenetic stimulation. Mice can use optogenetic stimulation as a conditioned cue for a reward or punishment. Optoception is a key limitation of optogenetics, because it may result in additional behavior that is not associated with the brain region of interest.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Optogenetics can be performed in a living organism. First, a cannula (thin tube) is surgically inserted into a brain region expressing an opsin. Then, an optical fiber that can deliver light is inserted into the cannula, allowing the experimenter to compare behavior when the light is off (neurons of interest are not stimulated) and when the light is on (neurons of interest are stimulated within milliseconds). A limitation is that implanting the optical fiber may cause physical damage.

Optogenetics in vivo

 Optoception: perception of optogenetic brain stimulation
Jorge Luis-Islas, Monica Luna, Benjamin Floran, Ranier Gutierrez
bioRxiv 2021.04.22.440969; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.22.440969 

Optoception: perception of optogenetic brain stimulation (2021)

Optoception

Fiberless optogenetics involves activating opsins with miniature light-emitting diodes (LEDs) so that light can be delivered wirelessly. Lanthanide micro-particles are transferred into the brain, along with the opsins, and exposure to near-infrared light  (NIR) leads to the activation of light-sensitive proteins in a process called upconversion.

It aims to overcome limitations of conventional optogenetics, in which the insertion of an optical fiber in traditional optogenetics causes physical damage to brain tissue and restricts the movement of animal subjects. Furthermore, NIR can reach deeper brain regions than visible light. The limitations of fiberless optogenetics include a limited battery life of the LEDs and restriction of animals' movement due to the devices' weight and size.

Learn Before

Related