Optogenetic Approaches for Controlling Seizure Activity

- Optogenetics shows great promise as a direct neuromodulatory therapy for halting seizure activity.
- The ability to activate or inhibit specific cell types has resulted in various approaches for halting seizure activity in rodent models of epilepsy.
- These approaches offer a promising means of controlling seizure activity, but several challenges still need to be addressed before they can be effectively translated into viable therapies for patients with epilepsy.

Optogenetics, a technique that utilizes light-sensitive ion channels or pumps to activate or inhibit neurons, has allowed scientists unprecedented precision and control for manipulating neuronal activity. With the clinical need to develop more precise and effective therapies for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, these tools have recently been explored as a novel treatment for halting seizure activity in various animal models. In this review, we provide a detailed and current summary of these optogenetic approaches and provide a perspective on their future clinical application as a potential neuromodulatory therapy.