Optogenetics and chemogenetics: key tools for modulating neural circuits in rodent models of depression

作者：Shaowei Li, Jianying Zhang, Jiehui Li, Yongfeng Hu, M L Zhang, Haijun Wang · 发表于：Frontiers in Neural Circuits · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3389/fncir.2025.1516839 · 被引用次数：19 · 研究领域：Photoreceptor and optogenetics research、Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study、Molecular Communication and Nanonetworks

Optogenetics and chemogenetics are emerging neuromodulation techniques that have attracted significant attention in recent years. These techniques enable the precise control of specific neuronal types and neural circuits, allowing researchers to investigate the cellular mechanisms underlying depression. The advancement in these techniques has significantly contributed to the understanding of the neural circuits involved in depression; when combined with other emerging technologies, they provide novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic tools for the clinical treatment of depression. Additionally, these techniques have provided theoretical support for the development of novel antidepressants. This review primarily focuses on the application of optogenetics and chemogenetics in several brain regions closely associated with depressive-like behaviors in rodent models, such as the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, dorsal raphe nucleus, and lateral habenula and discusses the potential and challenges of optogenetics and chemogenetics in future research. Furthermore, this review discusses the potential and challenges these techniques pose for future research and describes the current state of research on sonogenetics and odourgenetics developed based on optogenetics and chemogenetics. Specifically, this study aimed to provide reliable insights and directions for future research on the role of optogenetics and chemogenetics in the neural circuit...