US psychiatrist and neurologist Karl Deisseroth and his German colleagues Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel have been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking work in the field of optogenetics. Their research has significantly advanced the understanding of how the human brain functions.

Recognition by the Nobel Committee

The Nobel committee commended the trio for laying the foundation of a new era in neuroscience. Their work has revealed the neural circuits responsible for:

  • Specific memories
  • Feelings
  • Behaviors relevant to neurological and psychiatric disorders