The Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded Monday to US psychiatrist and neurologist Karl Deisseroth and German scientists Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for their pioneering work in the neuroscience field of optogenetics.[8076752][8011766][7976236][7980239] In optogenetics, scientists control neurones by stimulating them with light -- potentially unlocking breakthroughs for conditions such as dementia, depression and blindness.[8076752][8011766][7976236][7980239] The trio's discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics have provided new insights into how we might treat blindness, depression, addiction and dementia.[8076752][8011766][7976236][7980239] The award marks a significant milestone in the development of this neurobiology tool, which holds promise for a wide range of medical applications.[8076752][8011766][7976236][7980239]