The Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) is aiming to develop treatment for traumas via optogenetics research at a cost of almost $15 million (£10.1 million).
Specialist Karl Deisseroth of Stanford University will lead the investigation, which will draw upon several disciplines including brain modelling, signal processing, neurology and optoelectronics.
He suggested that there are many advantages to using this technique over drug treatment.
"You are in no way injuring the animals, because as soon as you turn the light off they are back to normaland it is also a lot cheaper, easier and more precise to use," he added.
Darpa was launched by the Department of Defense (DoD) as a response to the surprise launch of Sputnik into space by the Soviet Union in 1958.
Its website claimed that its "freedom to act quickly and decisively" has led to benefits such as state-of-the-art military weaponry.
