Optogenetics: The Physics of Mind Control

RealClearScience - Optogenetics: The Physics of Mind Control: "Optogenetic studies first introduce a carrier virus to the brain of the animal. A gene that encodes a light-sensitive ion channel protein is loaded into a virus and targeted to particular neurons of interest. (Brains contain many different types of neurons.) A flash of light, provided by a surgically implanted fiber-optic tip, opens the ion channels, causing the neuron to fire.



Thus, brain cells can be quite literally turned on and off. The possibilities of this powerful technique are nearly limitless. Examples include: Restoring eyesight after retinal damage by firing the remaining cells in the vision circuits of the brain; switching on and off a pathway that generates hunger impulses; and training the brain to suppress obsessive-compulsive behavior. There are no current plans to perform optogenetic studies on humans, however."