Stimulating brain cells with light reveals the dysfunctional circuitry that causes obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The abnormal brain activity seen in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a likely cause of the condition, according to two papers published today (June 6) in Science. Both studies used optogenetic techniques, which allow specific brain cells to be turned on and off at the flick of a light switch, to link the abnormal brain activity to OCD behavior in mice.

Read the full story here http://www.the-scientist.com//?articles.view/articleNo/35887/title/Optogenetics-and-OCD/