Dopamine Neuron-Specific Optogenetic Stimulation in Rhesus Macaques.

ABSTRACT: Optogenetic studies in mice have revealed new relationships between well-defined neurons and brain functions. However, there are currently no means to achieve the same cell-type specificity in monkeys, which possess an expanded behavioral repertoire and closer anatomical homology to humans. Here, we present a resource for cell-type-specific channelrhodopsin expression in Rhesus monkeys and apply this technique to modulate dopamine activity and monkey choice behavior. These data show that two viral vectors label dopamine neurons with greater than 95% specificity. Infected neurons were activated by light pulses, indicating functional expression. The addition of optical stimulation to reward outcomes promoted the learning of reward-predicting stimuli at the neuronal and behavioral level. Toge

SUBMITTER: Stauffer WR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5018252 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature