This invention, in one aspect, relates generally to methods for optically modulating pain in animals and human. The invention provides method for the use of opsin for modulating pain, wherein optical stimulation of specific neurons and/or other cells in targeted regions of the nervous system sensitized by opsin, using genetic technologies, leads to significant reduction of pain perception to noxious stimuli. Further, the invention provides a method for inhibition of pain without use of exogenous opsin, wherein visual stimulation of eye (having endogenous opsin) is carried out. The invention also includes device(s) for controlled modulation neural and/or cellular activities in brain, eye and peripheral nervous system in order to treat different forms of chronic pain.
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PAIN MODULATION BY OPTICAL ACTIVATION OF NEURONS AND OTHER CELLS