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Dissecting Mechanisms of Motivation within the Nucleus Accumbens Using Optogenetics

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Channelrhodopsin

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2191))

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Abstract

Studies mapping psychological functions to discrete brain regions often require manipulations that yield changes in a particular area and observing a subsequent shift in behavior. As investigators tap into neural underpinnings of behavior, it is useful to utilize technologies that permit temporally and spatially discrete shifts in neural signaling and neurobiological processes. This chapter contains protocols for creating “Fos plumes,” a means of mapping alterations in neural activity induced by neural manipulations. By localizing increases or decreases in c-Fos in targeted brain regions, the relative spread of each manipulation can be mapped, and the functional roles of individual mechanisms within particular brain areas can be defined. The chapter also provides examples of behavioral testing protocols using optogenetics to localize psychological functions in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region involved in the production of motivated behaviors. Together, these methods provide avenues for researchers to localize and causally demonstrate the impact of neural manipulations in the brain.

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Acknowledgments

The author thanks K.C. Berridge, E.E. Naffziger, and H.M. Baumgartner for helpful input throughout the writing process. Original work was supported by US National Institutes of Health grants awarded to K.C.B. (DA015188 and MH063649), S.L.C (DA007267), and J.J.O. (DA007268 and DC00011).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Shannon L. Cole

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Jeffrey J. Olney

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  1. Shannon L. Cole
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  2. Jeffrey J. Olney
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Correspondence to Shannon L. Cole .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA

    Robert E. Dempski

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Cole, S.L., Olney, J.J. (2021). Dissecting Mechanisms of Motivation within the Nucleus Accumbens Using Optogenetics. In: Dempski, R. (eds) Channelrhodopsin. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2191. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0830-2_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0830-2_19

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-0829-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-0830-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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