Lighting Up the Brain: The Science of Optogenetics

What if neuroscientists could look inside the human brain and watch individual brain cells send signals to one another? What if they could then control these brain cells to direct thoughts and actions? This may sound like science fiction, but it's actually a scientific revolution called optogenetics. Neuroscientists would like to use this new technology on human brains to uncover secrets about how the brain processes information and drives human behavior. Doctors hope to use optogenetics to restore sight and to treat Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, and other debilitating or deadly health problems. Discover how the innovative work of leaders in the field is poised to radically transform science, medicine, and human health. -- "Journal"

Review :
In concise text, this book explains optogenetics, which use light to control cells in living tissue, particularly the neurons in the brain. It also explores the groundbreaking innovations and tools developed to do this and how they work. Neuroscientists genetically modify lab animals so specific neurons within them will produce light-sensitive proteins. When flashes of light are directed onto these neurons, it triggers them to send signals to other neurons, helping scientists map the brain's neural circuitry and explain how the brain directs behavior and processes information. Inherent risks are acknowledged, and the controversy over animal testing is mentioned, but the hope is that this will ultimately lead to treatment of certain disorders and diseases, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, anxiety, depression, narcolepsy, and perhaps even visual impairment. This attractively designed book is full of color photos and includes a table of contents, source notes, a glossary, a selected bibliography, further information, and an index. It will be useful for students doing reports on new research techniques in the field of neuroscience.--Booklist -- "Journal" It may soon be possible for neuroscientists to look inside the human brain and see exactly what it is doing thanks to pioneering technology called optogenetics. Neuroscientists are already using optogenetics in mice and other laboratory animals, activating neurons inside their brains. In a two-step process, animals are genetically modified in such a way that certain neurons produce light-sensitive proteins. Researchers can direct flashes of light onto these neurons, triggering them to send signals to other neurons. Using optogenetics on human brains would allow neuroscientists to map the brain's complicated neural circuitry for the first time in history. It could conceivably enable scientists to control neurons to direct thoughts and actions. Optogenetics also has the potential to be used to treat conditions such as blindness and neural disorders like Parkinson's, depression, and Alzheimer's disease. Zimmer's accessibly written text offers a good deal of background information to put the subject in context. He includes a discussion of the ethics of using animals as test subjects. Well-organized and appealingly designed, the text is complemented with numerous color charts, diagrams, and photographs. An intriguing and informative introduction to the field of neuroscience and the frontiers of modern brain research.--Kirkus Reviews -- "Journal" The brain is a vast and complex system that continues to perplex and amaze scientists who seek to discover its many functions. Neuroscientists continually search for ways to enhance optogenetics to learn about the neutral circuitry of the human brain, with the hope of discovering ways to treat Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, seizures, and a myriad of additional health issues. Through the use of modified lab mice, scientists observed the impact of precise flashes of light onto specific neurons that produce light-sensitive proteins to send signals to other neurons within the brain. By mapping this movement, scientists can finally discover how the brain processes information. Zimmer's book serves as a helpful resource in understanding the science of optogenetics and its goal to cure 'incurable' debilitating diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Through the use of colorful images and graphics, the text builds the reader's background knowledge concerning the evolution of brain research. The book contains a significant amount of information concerning the topic of optogenetics; however, the author minimizes scientific terminology and presents the complex material in a clear and concise manner, which makes the text user-friendly to a general audience. The text presents mostly the positive aspects of optogenetics, however. Serious ethical concerns pertaining to mind control receive little to no attention. Overall, the title discusses an intriguing topic that could appeal to readers of all abilities. Librarians and teachers seeking interesting nonfiction texts focused on current events might want to add this book to their shelves.--VOYA -- "Journal"