PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide compositions and methods for disrupting at least one type of reward-related behavior in an individual.SOLUTION: Stably expressed light-responsive opsin proteins are used that can alter a membrane polarization state of cholinergic interneurons of the nucleus accumbens or the striatum of an individual. The protein is responsive to light and can hyperpolarize the interneurons when the interneurons are illuminated with light. One aspect comprises administering a polynucleotide encoding the protein to the individual.SELECTED DRAWING: None
OPTOGENETIC CONTROL OF REWARD-RELATED BEHAVIOR