Optogenetic approaches are widely used to manipulate neural activity and assess the consequences for brain function. Here, a technique is outlined that upon in vivo expression of the optical activator Channelrhodopsin, allows for ex vivo analysis of synaptic properties of specific long range and local neural connections in fear-related circuits.
Bosch, D., Asede, D., Ehrlich, I. Ex Vivo Optogenetic Dissection of Fear Circuits in Brain Slices. J. Vis. Exp. (110), e53628, doi:10.3791/53628 (2016).