title: Two-photon calcium imaging in the intact brain.
abstract: The calcium ion is a fundamental second messenger that plays crucial roles in the pathophysiology of brain cells. In this chapter, we will focus on the measurement of calcium fluctuations as a reporter of cellular excitability of both neurons and glial cells in the intact central nervous system. We will first describe the methodological aspects of in vivo two-photon fluorescence calcium imaging and then review recent data highlighting the ways in which this technique is revolutionizing our understanding of brain circuits at the cellular level. Finally, we will discuss recent technical advancements that promise to open new horizons in the optical investigation of brain function in awake, behaving animals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Italian Institute of Technology, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy. marco.dalmaschio@iit.it
authors.forename: Marco Dal
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Maschio
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beltramo
authors.forename: Angela Michela
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: De Stasi
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fellin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D006801:Humans; D036641:Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium