Technical Development of Two-Photon Optogenetic Stimulation and Its Potential Application to Brain-Machine Interfaces

Abstract: Over the past decade, techniques enabling bidirectional modulation of neuronal activity with single cell precision have rapidly advanced in the form of two-photon optogenetic stimulation. Unlike conventional electrophysiological approaches or one-photon optogenetics, which inevitably activate many neurons surrounding the target, two-photon optogenetics can drive hundreds of specifically targeted neurons simultaneously, with stimulation patterns that can be flexibly and rapidly reconfigured. In this review, we trace the development of two-photon optogenetic stimulation, focusing on its progression toward implementations in large field of view two-photon microscopes capable of targeted multi neuron control. We highlight three principal strategies: spiral scanning, temporal focusing, and three-dimensional computer-generated holography (3D CGH), along with their combinations, which together provide powerful tools for causal interrogation of neural circuits and behavior. Finally, we discuss the integration of these optical technologies into brain machine interfaces (BMIs), emphasizing both their transformative potential and the technical challenges that must be addressed to realize their broader impact.