Dr Rainer Gutiérrez on Optoception: Perceiving Brain Perturbations via Optogenetics

Dr Rainer Gutiérrez studies the neurobiology of appetite at Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, in Mexico City.
One of the pioneering techniques he uses to do this is optogenetics, which involves stimulating brain cells with light. His lab has discovered a surprising side effect of #optogenetics which he proposes is a novel form in internal sensing - like #interoception of the brain. He calls this optoception and the findings have some really intriguing implications for other researchers using optogenetic perturbations in their work. After speaking to Dr Gutiérrez I was left comparing this to how how we learn under normal conditions to associate unusual sensations in our body with events outside of us.
Find out more about the Inner Sense project here: www.yourinnerse...
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Twitter @GutierrezRanier
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#bodyawareness #neuroscience