TARGETED IMMUNOSUPPRESSION FOR OPTOGENETIC INTERVENTION
One embodiment is directed to a method for treating the nervous system of a patient, comprising: determining a desired nervous system functional modulation to be facilitated by optogenetic intervention; selecting targeted neuroanatomy for achieving the desired functional outcome with optogenetic intervention; and delivering an effective amount of polynucleotide comprising a light-responsive opsin protein which is expressed in neurons of the targeted neuroanatomy, and delivering an effective amount of immunosuppressant.
1 . A method for treating the nervous system of a patient, comprising:
a. determining a desired nervous system functional modulation to be facilitated by optogenetic intervention;
b. selecting targeted neuroanatomy for achieving the desired functional outcome with optogenetic intervention; and
c. delivering an effective amount of polynucleotide comprising a light-responsive opsin protein which is expressed in neurons of the targeted neuroanatomy, and delivering an effective amount of immunosuppressant.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising waiting for a period of time to ensure that sufficient portions of the targeted neuroanatomy will express the light-responsive opsin protein upon exposure to light.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising delivering light to the targeted neuroanatomy to cause controlled, specific excitation and/or inhibition by virtue of the presence of light-responsive opsin protein in such neuroanatomy.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a desired nervous system functional modulation to be facilitated by optogenetic intervention comprises determining a desired nervous system functional modulation to be facilitated by optogenetic excitation.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a desired nervous system functional modulation to be facilitated by optogenetic intervention comprises determining a desired nervous system functional modulation to be facilitated by optogenetic inhibition.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining a desired nervous system functional modulation to be facilitated by optogenetic intervention comprises determining a desired nervous system functional modulation to be facilitated by optogenetic excitation and inhibition.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein selecting targeted neuroanatomy for achieving the desired functional outcome with optogenetic intervention comprises selecting targeted neuroanatomy for achieving the desired functional outcome with optogenetic excitation.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein selecting targeted neuroanatomy for achieving the desired functional outcome with optogenetic intervention comprises selecting targeted neuroanatomy for achieving the desired functional outcome with optogenetic inhibition.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein selecting targeted neuroanatomy for achieving the desired functional outcome with optogenetic intervention comprises selecting targeted neuroanatomy for achieving the desired functional outcome with optogenetic excitation and inhibition.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of immunosuppressant is delivered before delivering the effective amount of polynucleotide comprising a light-responsive opsin protein which is expressed in neurons of the targeted neuroanatomy.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of immunosuppressant is delivered concomitantly with delivering the effective amount of polynucleotide comprising a light-responsive opsin protein which is expressed in neurons of the targeted neuroanatomy.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of immunosuppressant is delivered before and also concomitantly with delivering the effective amount of polynucleotide comprising a light-responsive opsin protein which is expressed in neurons of the targeted neuroanatomy.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the immunosuppressant is rapamycin.