Dissecting circuit mechanisms by genetic manipulation of specific neural pathways

摘要: The major issue in neuroscience is to delineate the structure and function of neural circuits that mediate a variety brain functions. One useful approach resolve this genetic manipulation activity specific circuits, which enables study behavioral physiological consequences manipulation. A novel type lentiviral vector showing highly efficient retrograde gene transfer (HiRet) can introduce transgene into neurons innervate certain region at injection site confer fundamental tool for genetically manipulating pathways. Here, we describe strategy selective targeting pathways by using HiRet vector, combined with immunotoxin (IT)-mediated cell targeting, eliminates particular neuronal types engineered express receptor recombinant IT. Our provides powerful technology investigate framework underlying functions develop animal models dissection neurological neuropsychiatric diseases.