Israeli scientists ‘switches off’ brain connectors

пятница, 28. мая 2021 - 15:15

Israeli scientists have developed a way to switch off connectors that link different parts of the brain, in an advance they say could prove key to treating neurological disorders like epilepsy. The innovation, which relies on a light-sensitive protein from mosquitos, was reported on Tuesday in the peer-reviewed journal Neuron.

The breakthrough has been discussed in medical circles for several weeks, and dozens of neurobiology teams around the world are already ordering the protein and using the protocol in their own labs.

“Our new method is the first that allows scientists to increase or decrease the function of certain pathways that connect parts of the brain, or shut them off completely,” Prof. Ofer Yizhar of the Weizmann Institute of Science told The Times of Israel. “The ultimate aim is that this will allow us to better understand the pathways of the brain, and which of them can be targeted to treat various brain disorders.”

Scientists widely use genetically modified animals, mimicking various human illnesses, to try to find cures. However, exploring brain disorders using such animals is more challenging than exploring other illnesses.

Nathan Jeffay

Источник:

THE TIMES OF ISRAEL

Тэги:

brain connectors