Optogenetic magnetic resonance imaging
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
InventorsKarl Deisseroth, Jin Hyung Lee
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are systems and methods involving the use of magnetic resonance imaging and optogenetic neural stimulation. Aspects of the disclosure include modifying a target neural cell population in a first region of a brain to express light-responsive molecules. Using a light pulse, the light-responsive molecules in the target neural cell population are stimulated. Multiple regions of the brain are scanned via magnetic resonance imaging. The scans allow for observation of a neural reaction in response to the stimulation in at least one of the multiple regions of the brain.
Claims8
A system for carrying out functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in an individual, the system comprising:
- a) an apparatus for delivering a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a light-responsive polypeptide to a target neural cell population in the individual, wherein the light-responsive opsin polypeptide is a light-responsive ion channel or a light-responsive ion pump;
- b) a light source for delivering a light pulse to a target neural cell population expressing the light-responsive polypeptide, thereby stimulating the target neural cell population, wherein the target neural cell population is in a first region of the brain in the individual;
- and
- c) a functional magnetic resonance imaging device that is configured to scan multiple regions of the brain to allow for observation of a neural reaction in response to the stimulation in at least one of the multiple regions of the brain and, in response, determine whether neural projections in a second region of the brain are connected to at least some of the cells of the modified target cell population in the first region of the brain.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.