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If you're in the field of neuroscience and for some crazy reason haven't heard of channel rhodopsin-2 (ChR2) yet, you will. It has got to be the sexiest contemporary technique available for the neuroscientist, and one that will probably earn Karl Deisseroth a trip to Stockholm in the future.
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A relatively new technique, ChR2 allows for tight temporal control of neuronal activation via photostimulation (optically mediated inhibition can be induced via the halorhodopsin channel).
The ability to express ChR2 in specific cell populations via genetic targeting make it far superior to previous methods of neuronal activation. Thus far, ChR2 has mainly been used to study synaptic plasticity and to map functional connections between neurons. However, a new paper in Science is the first to show that ChR2 activation can actually drive behavioral changes in adult mammals. While this result is not all that surprising, it's surely a milestone in the field and a harbinger for many, many studies to come. comments
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Jeremy Biane 1 June 2009
A New Role for "Vitamin P"
For many years, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as prozac have been a favorite pharmalogical treatment for depression. Interestingly, it is often weeks before the psychological effects of these drugs kick in, the cause of this lag period being largely unknown. As the drug is known to increase neurogenesis, some believe this upregulation of newborn cells - and the gradual time it takes for this process to occur - underlies the delayed impact of SSRIs.
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In a "recent" study published in Science magazine, Vetencourt et al throw another interpretation into the hat. Their study indicates that under the influence of fluoxetine (aka prozac), the adult rat visual cortex can undergo levels of reorganization typically restricted to developmental periods of life. Whatever the case, given what we already know about plasticity and sensory processing, you might consider increasing your vitamin p intake next time you take on a new language (I hear the side effects are pretty tolerable). Full Article
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Jeremy Biane 19 May 2009
SFN "Bonus Day" Open on July 13th
Society for Neuroscience 2009 is holding it's annual conference in Chicago, IL on Oct. 17th - 21st. Attendees have three registration options...
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Advance Members who renewed membership before Dec. 31, 2008 may register on Bonus Day, July 13. Advance member registration opens July 14 and advance non-member registration opens July 21. Advance registration closes Sept. 24. View registration fees. Online Discount SfN recommends online discount registration: Online registration includes a reduced fee and helps registrants avoid long lines at the annual meeting. Potential attendees can even register online at the convention center. Online discount registration opens Sept. 25 at midnight EDT and continues throughout the meeting. View registration fees. In Line On-Site Attendees can register on-site at the McCormick Place Campus. On-site, in-line registration opens Oct. 17 at 8 a.m. CDT. View registration fees. Note: Once on-site, attendees can still take advantage of online discount registration. |
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