Visualization of brain circuits using two-photon fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography

Opt Express. 2013 Apr 22;21(8):9839-50. doi: 10.1364/OE.21.009839.

Abstract

Neural circuits are fundamental for brain functions. However, obtaining long range continuous projections of neurons in the entire brain is still challenging. Here a two-photon fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography (2p-fMOST) method is developed for high-throughput, high-resolution visualization of the brain circuits. Two-photon imaging technology is used to obtain high resolution, and acoustical optical deflector (AOD), an inertia-free beam scanner is used to realize fast and prolonged stable imaging. The combination of these techniques with imaging and then sectioning method of a plastic-embedded mouse brain facilitated the acquisition of a three-dimensional data set of a fluorescent mouse brain with a resolution adequate to resolve the spines. In addition, the brain circuit tracing ability is showed by several neurons projecting across different brain regions. Besides brain imaging, 2p-fMOST could be used in many studies that requires sub-micro resolution or micro resolution imaging of a large sample.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Image Enhancement / instrumentation*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton / instrumentation*
  • Nerve Net / cytology*
  • Tomography, Optical / instrumentation*