Abstract
A salient feature of prefrontal cortex organization is the vast diversity of cell types that support the temporal integration of events required for sculpting future responses. A major obstacle in understanding the routing of information among prefrontal neuronal subtypes is the inability to manipulate the electrical activity of genetically defined cell types over behaviorally relevant timescales and activity patterns. To address these constraints, we present here a simple approach for selective activation of prefrontal excitatory neurons in both in vitro and in vivo preparations. Rat prelimbic pyramidal neurons were genetically targeted to express a light--activated nonselective cation channel, channelrhodopsin--2, or a light--driven inward chloride pump, halorhodopsin, which enabled them to be rapidly and reversibly activated or inhibited by pulses of light. These light responsive tools provide a spatially and temporally precise means of studying how different cell types contribute to information processing in cortical circuits. Our customized optrodes and optical commutators for in vivo recording allow for efficient light delivery and recording and can be requested at www.neuro--cloud.net/nature-precedings/baratta.
Highlights
Of studying how different cell types contribute to information processing in cortical circuits
Experimental control over prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity has largely relied on traditional neuroscience loss-/gain-of-function tools that do provide the required resolution for controlling speci c populations of PFC neurons, either on a temporal or spatial scale
The use of electrical stimulation does not allow for loss-offunction behavioral experiments as inhibition is not readily possible with this technique
Summary
Optogenetic control of genetically-targeted pyramidal neuron activity in prefrontal cortex. Rat prelimbic pyramidal neurons were genetically targeted to express a light-activated nonselective cation channel, channelrhodopsin-2, or a light-driven inward chloride pump, halorhodopsin, which enabled them to be rapidly and reversibly activated RU LQKLELWHG E\ SXOVHV RI OLJKW 7KHVH OLJKWUHVSRQVLYH WRROV SURYLGH D VSDWLDOO\ DQG WHPSRUDOO\ SUHFLVH PHDQV of studying how different cell types contribute to information processing in cortical circuits. Experimental control over PFC activity has largely relied on traditional neuroscience loss-/gain-of-function tools (e.g., electrical stimulation, pharmacological modulation, surgical ablation) that do provide the required resolution for controlling speci c populations of PFC neurons, either on a temporal or spatial scale. E recent development of optogenetic tools provides an exciting prospect for studying the complex and diverse functions of the PFC by enabling bidirectional control over the electrical activity of genetically-targeted cell populations with the use of light. We present here in vivo recordings from excitatory prelimbic cortex (PL) neurons transduced with either the light-activated cation channel, channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), or the light-driven chloride pump, halorhodopsin (NpHR) in rat
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