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Optogenetics Used to Induce REM Sleep in Mice

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Optogenetic activation of certain brain cells could be used to induce rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, which is crucial for keeping both body and mind healthy. MIT researchers targeted cholinergic neurons in two parts of the mouse brainstem, finding that activating them during non-REM sleep increased the number of REM sleep episodes — but not REM sleep duration. Triggering REM in mice involved inserting genetically modified, light-sensitive proteins into mice brain cells. These sensitized neurons were activated via a head-mounted fiber optic device. The study, described...Read full article

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    Published: January 2015
    Glossary
    optogenetics
    A discipline that combines optics and genetics to enable the use of light to stimulate and control cells in living tissue, typically neurons, which have been genetically modified to respond to light. Only the cells that have been modified to include light-sensitive proteins will be under control of the light. The ability to selectively target cells gives researchers precise control. Using light to control the excitation, inhibition and signaling pathways of specific cells or groups of...
    Research & TechnologyAmericasMassachusettsMITEmery BrownChrista Van DortoptogeneticsBiophotonicsBioScan

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