Optogenetic technology, also known as optogenetics, is a novel multidisciplinary 
field in biotechnology that integrates genetic engineering, electrophysiology, 
and optical and electronic engineering. This recently developed technology has 
evolved rapidly and generated considerable excitement in neuroscience research. 
This technology successfully solves the severe problem of achieving both high 
temporal and spatial precision within intact neural tissues of animals that 
electrical stimulation and pharmacological methods cannot achieve. It allows 
neurons to express light-sensitive genes that enable the identification, 
dissection, and manipulation of specific neural populations and their 
connections in the tissues and organs of awake animals with unprecedented 
spatial and temporal precision. Light-sensitive genes chiefly including the 
genetically targeted light-gated channels channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and 
halorhodopsin (NpHR) cause intracellular ion flow during optical illumination. 
Subsequently, the neurons undergo a series of changes resulting from membrane 
depolarization or hyperpolarization. To date, there are many published research 
articles and reviews that describe this new technology; however, few of the 
reports concern its application to neuropsychiatric diseases. In this review, we 
summarize the most recent optogenetic research in these diseases, including 
Parkinson's disease (PD), epilepsy, schizophrenia, anxiety, fear, reward 
behaviors, and sleep disorders. We propose that novel optogenetics technology 
creates excellent opportunities for innovative treatment strategies of 
neuropsychiatric diseases.