Spatio-temporal control of neural activity in vivo using fluorescence microendoscopy.
Controlling neural activity with high spatio-temporal resolution is desired for studying how neural circuit dynamics control animal behavior. Conventional methods for manipulating neural activity, such as electrical microstimulation or pharmacological blockade, have poor spatial and/or temporal resolution. Algal protein channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) enables millisecond-precision control of neural activity. However, a photostimulation method for high spatial resolution mapping in vivo is yet to be established. Here, we report a novel optical/electrical probe, consisting of optical fiber bundles and metal electrodes. Optical fiber bundles were used as a brain-insertable endoscope for image transfer and stimulating light delivery. Light-induced activity from ChR2-expressing neurons was detected with electrodes bundled to the endoscope, enabling verification of light-evoked action potentials. Photostimulation through optical fiber bundles of transgenic mice expressing ChR2 in layer 5 cortical neurons resulted in single-whisker movement, indicating spatially restricted activation of neurons in vivo. The probe system described here and a combination of various photoactive molecules will facilitate studies on the causal link between specific neural activity patterns and behavior.
Department of Systems Biology, Osaka Bioscience Institute, Suita, Osaka 565-0874, Japan. yhayashi@obi.or.jp
Yuichiro
Y
Hayashi
Yoshiaki
Y
Tagawa
Satoshi
S
Yawata
Shigetada
S
Nakanishi
Kazuo
K
Funabiki
D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D019723:Endoscopes; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D055100:Optical Fibers; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D062308:Optogenetics / Q000379:methods*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D012243:Rhodopsin