Trans-synaptic Neural Circuit-Tracing with Neurotropic Viruses

A central objective in deciphering the nervous system in health and disease is to define the connections of neurons. The propensity of neurotropic viruses to spread among synaptically-linked neurons makes them ideal for mapping neural circuits. So far, several classes of viral neuronal tracers have become available and provide a powerful toolbox for delineating neural networks. In this paper, we review the recent developments of neurotropic viral tracers and highlight their unique properties in revealing patterns of neuronal connections.