Visualizing the electrical activity of neuronal networks – a promising method for basic psychiatric research

Behaviour and emotions result from the electrical activity of neuronal networks in the brain. Disturbances of this activity of brain circuits will thus play a causal role in the pathogenesis and pathology of psychiatric disorders. The exploration of such dysfunctions in the electrical activity will expedite the development of more effective treatments of these disorders. A modern imaging approach is now used to visualize changes in the propagation of electrical nerve cell activity through brain circuits.