Our understanding of the cellular implementation of systems-level neural processes like action, thought and emotion has been limited by the availability of tools to interrogate specific classes of neural cells within intact, living brain tissue. Here we identify and develop an archaeal light-driven chloride pump (NpHR) from Natronomonas pharaonis for temporally precise optical inhibition of neural activity. NpHR allows either knockout of single action potentials, or sustained blockade of spiking. NpHR is compatible with ChR2, the previous optical excitation technology we have described, in that the two opposing probes operate at similar light powers but with well-separated action spectra. NpHR, like ChR2, functions in mammals without exogenous cofactors, and the two probes can be integrated with calcium imaging in mammalian brain tissue for bidirectional optical modulation and readout of neural activity. Likewise, NpHR and ChR2 can be targeted together to Caenorhabditis elegans muscle and cholinergic motor neurons to control locomotion bidirectionally. NpHR and ChR2 form a complete system for multimodal, high-speed, genetically targeted, all-optical interrogation of living neural circuits.

Multimodal fast optical interrogation of neural circuitry

Inducible and constitutive transcription factors in the mammalian nervous system: control of gene expression by Jun, Fos and Krox, and CREB/ATF proteins

Tinnitus is an auditory phantom sensation (ringing of the ears) experienced when no external sound is present. Most but not all cases are associated with hearing loss induced by noise exposure or aging. Neuroscience research has begun to reveal how tinnitus is generated by the brain when hearing loss occurs, and to suggest new avenues for management and prevention of tinnitus following hearing injuries. Downregulation of intracortical inhibition induced by damage to the cochlea or to auditory projection pathways highlights neural processes that underlie the sensation of phantom sound.

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The Neuroscience of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is an increasing health concern across all strata of the general population. Although an abundant amount of literature has addressed the many facets of tinnitus, wide-ranging differences i...

General review of tinnitus: Prevalence, mechanisms, effects, and management

Toxicity and tissue distribution of magnetic nanoparticles in mice

Activity in the dorsal cochlear nucleus of hamsters previously tested for tinnitus following intense tone exposure.

Tinnitus as a plastic phenomenon and its possible neural underpinnings in the dorsal cochlear nucleus

Plasticity of spontaneous neural activity in the dorsal cochlear nucleus after intense sound exposure.

Cisplatin causes both acute and chronic forms of tinnitus as well as increases in spontaneous neural activity (hyperactivity) in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) of hamsters. It has been hypothesi...

Cisplatin-Induced Hyperactivity in the Dorsal Cochlear Nucleus and Its Relation to Outer Hair Cell Loss: Relevance to Tinnitus

https://www.utdallas.edu/~tres/int2001/stout.pdf

Jinsheng Zhang

Papers

Activity in the dorsal cochlear nucleus of hamsters previously tested for tinnitus following intense tone exposure.

Tinnitus as a plastic phenomenon and its possible neural underpinnings in the dorsal cochlear nucleus

Plasticity of spontaneous neural activity in the dorsal cochlear nucleus after intense sound exposure.

Cisplatin-Induced Hyperactivity in the Dorsal Cochlear Nucleus and Its Relation to Outer Hair Cell Loss: Relevance to Tinnitus

Changes in spontaneous neural activity in the dorsal cochlear nucleus following exposure to intense sound: relation to threshold shift