Brain Circuit Modulation
Brain Circuit Modulation - Related Videos
11:13
Ex Vivo Optogenetic Dissection of Fear Circuits in Brain Slices
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Cited by 8 •
2016
Optogenetic approaches are widely used to manipulate neural activity and assess the consequences for brain function. Here, a technique is outlined that upon in vivo expression of the optical activator Channelrhodopsin, allows for ex vivo analysis of synaptic properties of specific long range and local neural connections in fear-related circuits.
13:36
Scalable Fluidic Injector Arrays for Viral Targeting of Intact 3-D Brain Circuits
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Cited by 10 •
2010
Controlling and analyzing neural circuits in vivo would be facilitated by a technology for delivery of viruses and other reagents to desired 3-dimensional sets of brain regions. We demonstrate customized fluidic injector array fabrication, and delivery of virally-encoded optical sensitizers, enabling optical manipulation of complex brain circuits.
10:59
Investigations on Alterations of Hippocampal Circuit Function Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
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Cited by 13 •
2012
A multi-faceted approach to investigating functional changes to hippocampal circuitry is explained. Electrophysiological techniques are described along with the injury protocol, behavioral testing and regional dissection method. The combination of these techniques can be applied in similar fashion for other brain regions and scientific questions.
03:34
Histochemical Imaging of Cortical Modules in Flattened Brain Sections
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2025
Source: Lauer, S. M., et al. Visualization of Cortical Modules in Flattened Mammalian Cortices. J. Vis. Exp. (2018) This video demonstrates a method to visualize the cortical modules in flattened brain sections using histochemical staining. Pre-fixed sections are treated with a straining reagent that highlights active neural clusters, forming dark, high-contrast regions. After mounting and dehydration, cortical modules appear under a bright-field microscope as dark, patchy patterns.
07:47
Non-Invasive Electrical Brain Stimulation Montages for Modulation of Human Motor Function
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Cited by 4 •
2016
Non-invasive electrical brain stimulation can modulate cortical function and behavior, both for research and clinical purposes. This protocol describes different brain stimulation approaches for modulation of the human motor system.
FAQs
Electrical and magnetic stimulation, drugs, and light-sensitive proteins influence circuits through different routes. Stimulation changes neural activity, drugs alter signaling, and light-sensitive proteins enable control of selected neurons with light. Comparing these approaches helps investigators distinguish effects arising from altered firing, synaptic transmission, or broader network connectivity.
Researchers can examine changes in firing patterns, synaptic transmission, and network connectivity. These levels describe progressively broader effects, from the activity of neurons to communication between cells and coordination across an interconnected circuit. Separating these outcomes helps clarify how circuit-level changes contribute to behavior and adaptation.
Selective control allows investigators to associate changes in a defined group of neurons with changes in circuit function. This improves the ability to connect neural activity with behaviors such as movement, perception, learning, or emotion. The approach therefore supports more specific links between circuit dynamics and nervous-system function than observing activity alone.
A typical experiment requires a neural target, a method for changing its activity or communication, and an outcome that can be related to circuit function. Available intervention categories include electrical or magnetic stimulation, drugs, and light-sensitive proteins. Researchers then interpret altered firing, synaptic transmission, connectivity, or behavior in relation to the selected circuit.
The approach helps test how neural circuits contribute to movement, perception, learning, and emotion, while also examining how the nervous system adapts to change. By altering circuit activity and examining resulting functional consequences, researchers can connect network dynamics with specific behaviors rather than treating behavior as an isolated output.
Disrupted neural activity is associated with conditions including epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and other disorders. Modulating relevant circuits helps researchers investigate how abnormal activity relates to disease and supports the development and refinement of treatments. Its value extends from studying disease mechanisms to evaluating strategies intended to alter dysfunctional neural activity.