optogenetic stimulation

Optogenetic stimulation is a technique that uses light to control specific cells in the body, especially neurons, which are the brain's communication cells. Scientists do this by inserting a gene into these cells that makes them sensitive to light, typically using special proteins called opsins. When exposed to particular wavelengths of light, these cells can be activated or deactivated, allowing precise control of their activity. This method is valuable for studying brain functions and has potential therapeutic applications for neurological disorders by modulating neural circuits with high accuracy.