A light-controlled tetanus neurotoxin enables rapid and reversible synaptic inhibition in vivo

TL;DR - Researchers developed a light-controlled tetanus neurotoxin that rapidly and reversibly inhibits synaptic transmission in vivo. The tool enables precise manipulation of neural activity and mouse behavior beyond previous methods.

• The engineered protease cleaves VAMP2, blocking synaptic vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release.
• Light provides temporal control over synaptic inhibition.
• The method modulates both cellular activity and mouse behavior.
• It may enable new mechanistic studies of neural circuits.