Abstract

Neuronal responses to infrared neural stimulation (INS) are explored at the single cell level. We examined membrane and synaptic responses of solitary tract neurons prepared from the Sprague-Dawley rat. Neurons were stimulated using a 1890 nm laser with light delivered via single-mode fiber. We show that infrared radiation increased spontaneous synaptic event frequency, and evoked steady-state currents. The magnitude of the responses was proportional to laser output.

© 2016 Optical Society of America