A wirelessly controlled optical stimulator for optogenetics application

The study aimed to develop a miniature and wirelessly controlled optical stimulator for optogenetics neuro modulation in freely moving small animals. The light source was generated from micro-LEDs. The optical stimulation parameters of frequency, light power and pulse width were wirelessly programmed through radio-frequency communication between a computer and the stimulator. The stimulator was evaluated in the ChR2(channel-rhodopsin-2) transfected mice with stimulus in the secondary motor cortex. The stimulator with battery weighted 3.3g and its size was 20 mm×16 mm×5 mm which could be wirelessly programmed up to 10 meters. The 30 Hz optical stimulation at the secondary motor cortex provoked the movement of the mice. A multi-channel, miniature and wirelessly programmed optical stimulator has been developed for freely moving mice and the optical stimulation can reliably activate ChR2-expressed neurons. The stimulator would expend the application of optogenetic technology in neuromodulation research of brain or spinal cord stimulation.