Cellular level brain imaging in behaving mammals: An engineering approach

Elizabeth J.O. Hamel, Benjamin F. Grewe, Jones Griffith Parker, Mark J. Schnitzer*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

114 Scopus citations

Abstract

Fluorescence imaging offers expanding capabilities for recording neural dynamics in behaving mammals, including the means to monitor hundreds of cells targeted by genetic type or connectivity, track cells over weeks, densely sample neurons within local microcircuits, study cells too inactive to isolate in extracellular electrical recordings, and visualize activity in dendrites, axons, or dendritic spines. We discuss recent progress and future directions for imaging in behaving mammals from a systems engineering perspective, which seeks holistic consideration of fluorescent indicators, optical instrumentation, and computational analyses. Today, genetically encoded indicators of neural Ca2+ dynamics are widely used, and those of trans-membrane voltage are rapidly improving. Two complementary imaging paradigms involve conventional microscopes for studying head-restrained animals and head-mounted miniature microscopes for imaging in freely behaving animals. Overall, the field has attained sufficient sophistication that increased cooperation between those designing new indicators, light sources, microscopes, and computational analyses would greatly benefit future progress.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)140-159
Number of pages20
JournalNeuron
Volume86
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 8 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience(all)

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