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Combining designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs and neuroimaging in experimental models: A powerful approach towards neurotheranostic applications
Author(s) -
Peeters Lore M.,
Missault Stephan,
Keliris Aneta J.,
Keliris Georgios A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/bph.14885
Subject(s) - neuroimaging , neuroscience , computer science , function (biology) , cognitive science , psychology , biology , evolutionary biology
The combination of chemogenetics targeting specific brain cell populations with in vivo imaging techniques provides scientists with a powerful new tool to study functional neural networks at the whole‐brain scale. A number of recent studies indicate the potential of this approach to increase our understanding of brain function in health and disease. In this review, we discuss the employment of a specific chemogenetic tool, designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs, in conjunction with non‐invasive neuroimaging techniques such as PET and MRI. We highlight the utility of using this multiscale approach in longitudinal studies and its ability to identify novel brain circuits relevant to behaviour that can be monitored in parallel. In addition, some identified shortcomings in this technique and more recent efforts to overcome them are also presented. Finally, we discuss the translational potential of designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs in neuroimaging and the promise it holds for future neurotheranostic applications.