title: Optogenetic Glia Manipulation: Possibilities and Future Prospects.
abstract: Our brains are composed of two distinct cell types: neurons and glia. Emerging data from recent investigations show that glial cells, especially astrocytes and microglia, are able to regulate synaptic transmission and thus brain information processing. This suggests that, not only neuronal activity, but communication between neurons and glia also plays a key role in brain function. Thus, it is currently well known that the physiology and pathophysiology of brain function can only be completely understood by considering the interplay between neurons and glia. However, it has not yet been possible to dissect glial cell type-specific roles in higher brain functionsin vivo. Meanwhile, the recent development of optogenetics techniques has allowed investigators to manipulate neural activity with unprecedented temporal and spatial precision. Recently, a series of studies suggested the possibility of applying this cutting-edge technique to manipulate glial cell activity. This review briefly discusses the feasibility of optogenetic glia manipulation, which may provide a technical innovation in elucidating thein vivorole of glial cells in complex higher brain functions.
authors: Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
authors: Woo-Hyun
authors: WH
authors: Cho
authors: Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
authors: Ellane
authors: E
authors: Barcelon
authors: Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
authors: Sung Joong
authors: SJ
authors: Lee
keywords: Astrocyte; Higher brain functions; Microglia; Optogenetics; Synapse