An optogenetic approach in epilepsy

► Optogenetic tools allow selective activation/silencing of specific neuronal populations. ► Inhibitory opsins have been shown to efficiently reduce epileptiform activity in brain slices. ► New strategies for controlling seizures could be explored using optogenetics. ► Technically challenging optimisation of optogenetic approaches. ► Some uncertainty in predicting outcomes of optogenetic interventions on excitability of complex neuronal networks.