To understand how function arises from the interactions between neurons, it is necessary to use methods that allow the monitoring of brain activity at the single-neuron, single-spike level and the targeted manipulation of the diverse neuron types selectively in a closed-loop manner. Large-scale recordings of neuronal spiking combined with optogenetic perturbation of identified individual neurons has emerged as a suitable method for such tasks in behaving animals. To fully exploit the potential power of these methods, multiple steps of technical innovation are needed. We highlight the current state of the art in electrophysiological recording methods, combined with optogenetics, and discuss directions for progress. In addition, we point to areas where rapid development is in progress and discuss topics where near-term improvements are possible and needed.
Pubmed ID: 25856489 RIS Download
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Website for brain experimental data and other resources such as stimuli and analysis tools. Provides marketplace and discussion forum for sharing tools and data in neuroscience. Data repository and collaborative tool that supports integration of theoretical and experimental neuroscience through collaborative research projects. CRCNS offers funding for new class of proposals focused on data sharing and other resources.
View all literature mentionsProject aimed at revolutionizing understanding of human brain, to show how individual cells and complex neural circuits interact, enable rapid progress in development of new technologies and data analysis tools to treat and prevent brain disorders. BRAIN Initiative encourages collaborations between neurobiologists and scientists from disciplines such as statistics, physics, mathematics, engineering, and computer and information sciences. Institutes and centers contributing to NIH BRAIN Initiative support those research efforts.
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