Optical system for selectively firing neurons

Abstract

When studying activity in neuronal networks it is desirable to induce arbitrary patterns of action potential activity. Neurons transduced with light-sensitive ion channels (ChR2 and NpHR) can be stimulated by incident light. Prior research has determined that irradiance of at least 1mWmm−2 pulsed at 1kHz at 470nm (for excitation) and 590nm (for inhibition) will result in reliable stimulation of a neuron.