Year: 2016
Type: review
Abstract: Currently, approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy do not have adequate seizure control. A greater understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which seizures start or propagate could lead to new therapeutic strategies. The recent development of optogenetics, because of its unprecedented precision for controlling activity within distinct neuronal populations, has revolutionized neuroscience, including epilepsy research. This Review discusses recent breakthroughs made with optogenetics in epilepsy research. These breakthroughs include new insights into the key roles that different cell types play in mediating seizures as well as in the development of epilepsy. Subsequently, we discuss how targeting different brain regions and cell populations has opened up the possibility of highly specific therapies that can stop seizures on demand. Finally, we illustrate how combining newly available neuroscience tools with whole-brain imaging techniques will allow researchers to understand better the spread of seizures on a network level. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Neuroscience Research Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source: Journal of Neuroscience Research
DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23767
Authors: ManKin Choy, Ben A. Duffy, Jin Hyung Lee
Institutions: Stanford University, Stanford Medicine
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,840
Awards: CAREER: A New Vivo Brain Circuit Analysis Method using Real-Time, High-Resolution Optogenetic fMRI, In Vivo Control and Functional Visualization of Stem Cell-Driven CNS Regeneration, Visualization of Neuro-Molecular Targeting using Distribution-Free, High-Res fMRI, Deconstructing Arousal Regulation Circuits for Optimal DBS Therapy Design, Direct Visualization of Cell-Type Specific AD Networks for Drug Development, Dynamic regulation of whole brain circuit function by basal ganglia pathways
OpenAlex ID: W2481359267