Scientists Control Mice Behavior With Near-Infrared Rays

For the first time, scientists have invented a noninvasive way to control the brain circuits—the clusters of neurons in the brain that collectively perform a specific task—of freely moving lab animals from a distance. The new technique, which beams near-infrared light into the brain, may help researchers analyze how the brain works during normal behavior, and may one day lead to new treatments for brain diseases in people.