The Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded Monday to three scientists who created a tool using light to help unravel how the brain works.

Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel were recognized for pioneering optogenetics, which “is now being used in laboratories around the world to reveal the brain’s mysteries.”

The trio won the award for their discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.

Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel won the award for discoveries that provide new insights into how we might treat blindness, depression, addiction and dementia.

Karl Deisseroth, 54, Peter Hegemann, 71, and Georg Nagel, 73, have carried out research into light-gated ion channels and optogenetics. They are based at universities in Germany and the United States.

STOCKHOLM (AP) — The Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded Monday to three scientists working on the mechanisms the brain uses to switch on, or off, the activity of individual nerve cells. Karl Deissero...

The Nobel Prize in medicine has been awarded who created a tool using light to help unravel how the brain works.