Optogenetic control of inputs to the ventral tegmental area
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
InventorsStephan Lammel, ByungKook Lim, Robert C. Malenka
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides a method of inducing or modulating reward- or aversive-related behaviors in animals using light-responsive opsins. The present disclosure provides methods of identifying or screening compounds that may be used to treating mental disorders, or are relevant to disrupt or improve reward- or aversive related behaviors.
Claims4
A method of modulating a reward- or aversive-related behavior in a mammal, the method comprising:
- a) expressing in one or both of two inputs to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) from the laterodorsal tegmentum and the lateral habenula a light-responsive opsin polypeptide;
- and
- b) exposing the input to light,
- wherein said exposing modulates a reward- or aversive-related behavior in the mammal.
A non-human animal model of a reward- or aversive-related behavioral disorder, wherein said non-human animal expresses a light-responsive opsin polypeptide in one or both of two inputs to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) from the laterodorsal tegmentum (LDT) and the lateral habenula (LHb).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.