OptoDBS 2026: New Findings on the Zona Incerta

Jun 29, 2026

Poster at OptoDBS 2026 Explores Cell Type Specific Functions in the Zona Incerta

At the OptoDBS Conference 2026 in Geneva, ReTune researcher Dr. Johannes Hartig presented a poster investigating the functional organization of the zona incerta (ZI), a poorly understood subthalamic brain region that is used as a neuromodulation target for tremor and, in some cases, Parkinson’s disease.

Investigating the Caudal Zona Incerta

Previous studies have mainly mapped and functionally characterized GABAergic neurons in the rostral zona incerta. These investigations showed only limited effects on motor behaviour.

Based on the hypothesis that the zona incerta contains a rostro caudal functional gradient with cell type specific functions, Dr. Hartig and colleagues focused on glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in the caudal part of the region.

Mapping Cell Type Specific Circuits

The study combined whole brain mapping of glutamatergic caudal zona incerta neurons with fibre photometry recordings and optogenetic perturbation experiments.

The analyses showed that glutamatergic neurons in the caudal zona incerta maintain strong connections with basal ganglia motor loops and are predominantly associated with behavioural transition states. In contrast, GABAergic neurons encode a bradycardia immobility motif.

A Hub for State Regulation

The findings further establish the idea of the zona incerta as a state regulation hub and provide a more detailed picture of the distinct roles of neuronal populations within this region.

A preprint accompanying the poster is expected to be published on bioRxiv in the coming weeks.

OptoDBS 2026 in Geneva

The conference brought together researchers working on optogenetics and neuromodulation and provided an opportunity to discuss current developments in the field. Reflecting on the meeting, Dr. Hartig described the conference as highly inspiring. The group is already looking forward to returning for the next edition, which is expected to take place in Geneva in 2028 under the name OptoMOD.