SYNTHETIC NEUROBIOLOGY: REWIRING BRAIN CIRCUITS

Abstract

This paper examines how synthetic neurobiology can be applied in altering the network within the brain through the process of process of optogenetics and chemogenetics.  An experimental study of mixed methods was applied (e.g. stimulation neurons in living animals, behavioral analyses, electrophysiological recordings and post-hoc histological verification).  The channelrhodopsin-2 was transported using viral vehicles to selectively stimulate excitatory pyramidal cells, and DREADDs enabled the temporary disengagement of circuits.  Electrophysiological data indicated that optogenetic activation had resulted in large changes in neuronal firing rates (15.2 and 18.6 Hz on average) and weight of synapses.  With Hebbian equations, spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) curves showed the long-term potentiation (LTP) was stronger.  Behavioral tests indicated an improvement in spatial memory as well as anxiety and the rise in scores was observed above 20 percent in the stimulated groups.  The correlations between the firing rate and various indices of LTP, as well as those between firing rates and synaptic weight changes were significant (r > 0.8), thus these are reliable indicators of plasticity.  The line graphs, bar plots and scatter plots, and hybrid plots gave visualizations of the results and how they varied under various experimental conditions and how they influenced these groups.  Also using confocal imaging, there was a high transfection efficiency (>85%) of neuromodulatory constructs and after behavioral history showed that the constructs were delivered into the correct regions.  The findings indicate that synthetic neuromodulation can make accurate and effective changes within neural networks bridging the gap between transformations of molecules and transformations of behavior.  Such an approach provides a robust platform to examine brain circuits due to its integration of a multi-modal examination, real-time observation and mathematical modeling.  The outcomes of this evidence indicate that it is possible to utilize synthetic neurobiology to generate therapy of neurological disorders and cognitive restoration.