Optogenetics and neurons firing

[M0RPHEUS]

Optogenetics is the combination of deep brain stimulation with fiber optics and gene therapy.

I have read that there can be two way traffic (http://www.wired.com/magazine/2009/10/mf_optigenetics/all/1")

By injecting mice neurons with yet another gene, one that makes cells glow green when they fire, researchers are monitoring neural activity through the same fiber-optic cable that delivers the light. The cable becomes a lens. It makes it possible to “write” to an area of the brain and “read” from it at the same time: two-way traffic.

I know that there are no big or small firing of neurons - all firings are the same size. I was wondering if the fiber-optic cable can detect the difference between regular spiking, phasic bursting or fast spiking.

 

[LondonW]

Has there been any progress with optogenetics? It really does sound quite fascinating and could really help doctors and researchers understand the human brain and how it functions. It's quite fascinating how they can take a plant gene and implant it into a mammals neurons and brain.