New Light on Brian Science
A SCience Article Analysis Based on the Article
Date of article publication: October 23, 2015
Author: Kathiann Kowalski
Analysis by : Jessica Vela
Author: Kathiann Kowalski
Analysis by : Jessica Vela
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Accumulative work of scientists over the past decades have found a way to use light to control brain cells (neurons), a new field of science now called optogenetics- the name describing the new technology that uses light to turn on or shut down genetically programmed actions in brain cells. The brain is the central command of everything we do, with an estimate of 86 billion neurons. These neurons are now being manipulated by scientists in the field of optogenetics to turn on tasks, or behaviors with the flip of a light switch. The brain is a complex organ that in a way is like a computer, the brain is able to function with electricity, just as computers do. A neurology group at MIT was able to identify proteins sensitive to light, the key to optogenetics. In fact, the human eye contains opsin, one of the proteins sensitive to light. When light reaches the cells of the retina in the back of the eye, opsin triggers electrical signals which immediately shoot to the brain and translate the signal into sight. An opsin is able to either turn a neuron’s action on or off. When opsin lets in positively charged sodium or hydrogen ions, an electric current is produced, if the current reaches a certain level, the neurons will turn on, creating an electric impulse. Opsin may also release negatively charged chloride ions which can turn neurons off. The testing of these experiments are made on animals who have had genetically engineered opsin into their brains because most animals don’t have opsin. Just by shining light on those cells, they are activated and the types of signals driven by the cells are observed. More experiments conducted at Wake Forest University demonstrated that addiction to alcohol can be stopped with light stimulating the brain in a deep structure of the brain known as amygdala. The different colors used on the neurons also affects their responses. Through a study in which a certain frequency was used to produce green light that was used on the brain of mice, certain neurons release dopamine to their brains. Optogenetics, as a new field of neurology, is very promising for future therapies and new treatments.
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In total, a couple of my article analyses have been related to the brain- the field of neurology. Neurology is a big interest of mine, as I have mentioned on other articles that the brain is so complex and trying to understand its functions are very interesting. This article, “New Light on Brain Science,” has discussed the new field of optogenetics, which uses frequencies of light to stimulate the control of the brain, an amazing phenomenon that I can barely believe because it's so surprising! The article was very captivating at first sight and the title made me automatically decide to chose to read it. As far as I am concerned, with a lot of articles that I have read about neurology, this specific field of science is advancing very quickly, new discoveries like these have even opened up new fields of study that grab my attention. Through the article, I was able to find out the current news on neurology research. With it, the new discoveries bring about beneficial outcomes for the world of today.
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The society of today is struggling to combat neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, where people experience memory loss, in the United States there are about three million cases of this disease every year. Not only do the patients suffer from the disorder, but family members close to the patient are affected by the disease that interferes with their family relations. The stimulation of brain neurons and proteins can eventually lead to a cure for such disorders, or at least a treatment that can help the patients in any way. The article mentioned that the stimulation can also help stop addiction of alcohol. Today, there are many thousands of people who are addicted to alcohol and try to stop. Through optogenetics, though of course as of now it can be dangerous, optogenetics can help people battle addictions that harm their bodies. New jobs will open up in search of young scientists that will help benefit the society of human interconnectedness. Optogenetics is very important to the world of today since it is a relatively new field of research with a very interesting future filled with discoveries and techniques.
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Work Cited
“New Light on Brain Science.” Student Science. Web. 7 Nov. 2015. <https://student.societyforscience.org/article/new-light-brain-science>
*The sources of the pictures can be viewed by clicking on them.
“New Light on Brain Science.” Student Science. Web. 7 Nov. 2015. <https://student.societyforscience.org/article/new-light-brain-science>
*The sources of the pictures can be viewed by clicking on them.