Optogenetics

Optogenetics has made it possible for microbial rhodopsin to be tolerated in the brain of living mammals without causing any impairment as opposed to before (Deisseroth, 2010). Optogenetics has offered new break points to help investigate neural systems, which can be accomplished by developing refined nerve cells on micro patterned substrates. Cells can be now silenced or stimulated with a simple light-beam with an unknown spatial precision (Deisseroth, 2010).

One advantage of optogenetics is the ability to specifically regulate one single cell at a precise time during a specific event. It has now become possible for scientists to also look into infection prototypes by using animals. Optogenetics has opened up opportunities that allow research into intricate brain functions and which permits an understanding of the peripheral conducts and reasoning (Regev et al., 2018). Some of the disadvantages include the fact that various neurons are predominantly receptive towards light, which can cause the neurons to react in a way that is not matching to how they react physiologically by themselves. Another disadvantage is the fact that the stimulation and inactivation in the neurons could motivate the cells to turn to neuroplasticity which would not have ensued otherwise (Raz, 2017). This could central to outcomes that cannot be comprehensive to a larger population.

One of the diseases that can be treated using optogenetic method is Parkinson disease which is a neurodegenerative disorder. This disease can be treated by a stereotactic use of a metallic bipolar to the nucleus brain subthalamicus (Williams 2017). Through the aid of these electrodes, an oscillating electric field is used that source stimulation in the neuronal cells (Williams 2017). This approach has evidenced to be effective where there is significant improvement as likened to the use of drug therapy.

Optogenetics can be applied in erasing memories. People undergo traumatic events in their lives that end up affecting the rest of their lives; most of them are unable to make meaningful life decisions all because of the trauma (Raz, 2017). Optogenetics can be used to erase these traumatic memories and allow this people to live a much more productive life that is not controlled by their traumatic memories.  This technology can be misused by malicious people to conduct unethical activities for instance key witnesses in a law suit could get their memories erased so that they do not testify.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Deisseroth K. (2010). Controlling the brain with light. Scientific American. SciShow.

Optogenetics: Using light to control your brain [Video]. Accessed August 22, 2019.

Raz G. Steve Ramirez (2017). If we could erase memories … should we? NPR’s TED Radio

            Hour. Accessed August 22, 2019.

Regev, Limor & Goshen, Inbal. (2018). Employing Optogenetics in Memory Research.

            10.1007/978-1-4939-7417-7_12.

Williams S. (2017). Optogenetic therapies move closer to clinical use. The Scientist;

            Accessed August 22, 2019. https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/optogenetic-therapies-move-closer-to-clinical-use-30611