Switching off anxiety with light: Cone opsins coupled with serotonin receptors
Monday, April 7, 2014 - 15:02
in Biology & Nature
Receptors for the messenger molecule serotonin can be modified in such a way that they can be activated by light, a study shows. An imbalance in serotonin levels seems to cause anxiety and depression. The researchers have provided a new model system for investigating the mechanism underlying these dysfunctions in cell cultures as well as living organisms.