Action potential block in neurons by infrared light

Alex J. Walsh; Gleb P. Tolstykh; Stacey Martens; Bennett L. Ibey; Hope T. Beier

doi:10.1117/1.NPh.3.4.040501

Action potential block in neurons by infrared light

Alex J. Walsh, Gleb P. Tolstykh, Stacey Martens, Bennett L. Ibey, Hope T. Beier

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Short infrared laser pulses (SILP) have many physiological effects on cells, including the ability to stimulate action potentials (APs) in neurons. Here, we show that SILPs can also reversibly block APs. Reversible AP block in hippocampal neurons was observed following SILP (0.26 to 0.96 J/cm²; 1.37 to 5.01 ms; 1869 nm) with the block persisting for more than 1 s with exposures greater than 0.69 J/cm². AP block was sustained for 30 s with SILPs pulsed at 1 to 7 Hz. Full recovery of neuronal activity was observed 5 to 30 s post SILP exposure. These results indicate that SILP can be used for noncontact, reversible AP block. Due to the high spatial precision and noncontact manner of infrared light delivery, AP block by SILP (infrared neural inhibition) has the potential to transform medical care for sustained pain inhibition and suppression of unwanted nerve activity.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	040501
Journal	Neurophotonics
Volume	3
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/1.NPh.3.4.040501
State	Published - Oct 1 2016

Keywords

action potential
fast thermal gradient
infrared light/radiation
neurons
optogenetics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Neuroscience (miscellaneous)
Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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10.1117/1.NPh.3.4.040501

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title = "Action potential block in neurons by infrared light",

abstract = "Short infrared laser pulses (SILP) have many physiological effects on cells, including the ability to stimulate action potentials (APs) in neurons. Here, we show that SILPs can also reversibly block APs. Reversible AP block in hippocampal neurons was observed following SILP (0.26 to 0.96 J/cm2; 1.37 to 5.01 ms; 1869 nm) with the block persisting for more than 1 s with exposures greater than 0.69 J/cm2. AP block was sustained for 30 s with SILPs pulsed at 1 to 7 Hz. Full recovery of neuronal activity was observed 5 to 30 s post SILP exposure. These results indicate that SILP can be used for noncontact, reversible AP block. Due to the high spatial precision and noncontact manner of infrared light delivery, AP block by SILP (infrared neural inhibition) has the potential to transform medical care for sustained pain inhibition and suppression of unwanted nerve activity.",

keywords = "action potential, fast thermal gradient, infrared light/radiation, neurons, optogenetics",

author = "Walsh, {Alex J.} and Tolstykh, {Gleb P.} and Stacey Martens and Ibey, {Bennett L.} and Beier, {Hope T.}",

year = "2016",

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AU - Walsh, Alex J.

AU - Tolstykh, Gleb P.

AU - Martens, Stacey

AU - Ibey, Bennett L.

AU - Beier, Hope T.

PY - 2016/10/1

Y1 - 2016/10/1

N2 - Short infrared laser pulses (SILP) have many physiological effects on cells, including the ability to stimulate action potentials (APs) in neurons. Here, we show that SILPs can also reversibly block APs. Reversible AP block in hippocampal neurons was observed following SILP (0.26 to 0.96 J/cm2; 1.37 to 5.01 ms; 1869 nm) with the block persisting for more than 1 s with exposures greater than 0.69 J/cm2. AP block was sustained for 30 s with SILPs pulsed at 1 to 7 Hz. Full recovery of neuronal activity was observed 5 to 30 s post SILP exposure. These results indicate that SILP can be used for noncontact, reversible AP block. Due to the high spatial precision and noncontact manner of infrared light delivery, AP block by SILP (infrared neural inhibition) has the potential to transform medical care for sustained pain inhibition and suppression of unwanted nerve activity.

AB - Short infrared laser pulses (SILP) have many physiological effects on cells, including the ability to stimulate action potentials (APs) in neurons. Here, we show that SILPs can also reversibly block APs. Reversible AP block in hippocampal neurons was observed following SILP (0.26 to 0.96 J/cm2; 1.37 to 5.01 ms; 1869 nm) with the block persisting for more than 1 s with exposures greater than 0.69 J/cm2. AP block was sustained for 30 s with SILPs pulsed at 1 to 7 Hz. Full recovery of neuronal activity was observed 5 to 30 s post SILP exposure. These results indicate that SILP can be used for noncontact, reversible AP block. Due to the high spatial precision and noncontact manner of infrared light delivery, AP block by SILP (infrared neural inhibition) has the potential to transform medical care for sustained pain inhibition and suppression of unwanted nerve activity.

KW - action potential

KW - fast thermal gradient

KW - infrared light/radiation

KW - neurons

KW - optogenetics

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