| abstract |
Disclosed is a method for stimulating neural tissue, where the neural tissue includes one or more neurons genetically modified to express a light-sensitive protein. The method comprises applying a light stimulus and an electrical stimulus to the neural tissue, thereby triggering membrane depolarisation in at least one of the neurons. Also disclosed is an apparatus for applying the disclosed method. The apparatus includes a light-stimulation device for selectively applying a light stimulus and an electrical-stimulation device for selectively applying an electrical stimulus to the neural tissue. |