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1: Nat Methods. 2007 Feb;4(2):139-41. Epub 2006 Dec 31.Click here to read Links

Optical induction of synaptic plasticity using a light-sensitive channel.

Zhang YP, Oertner TG.

Friedrich Miescher Institute, Novartis Research Foundation, Maulbeerstr. 66, WRO-1066.4.04, CH-4058 Basel, Switzerland.

We have combined millisecond activation of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), a light-gated ion channel, with two-photon calcium imaging to investigate active synaptic contacts in rat hippocampal slice cultures. Calcium influx was larger during light-induced action potentials than during action potentials induced by somatic current injection, leading to highly reproducible synaptic transmission. Pairing of light stimulation with postsynaptic depolarization induced long-term potentiation, making this technique ideal for genetic and pharmacological dissection of synaptic plasticity.

PMID: 17195846 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]