title: Imaging with organic indicators and high-speed charge-coupled device cameras in neurons: some applications where these classic techniques have advantages.
abstract: Dynamic calcium and voltage imaging is a major tool in modern cellular neuroscience. Since the beginning of their use over 40 years ago, there have been major improvements in indicators, microscopes, imaging systems, and computers. While cutting edge research has trended toward the use of genetically encoded calcium or voltage indicators, two-photon microscopes, and in vivo preparations, it is worth noting that some questions still may be best approached using more classical methodologies and preparations. In this review, we highlight a few examples in neurons where the combination of charge-coupled device (CCD) imaging and classical organic indicators has revealed information that has so far been more informative than results using the more modern systems. These experiments take advantage of the high frame rates, sensitivity, and spatial integration of the best CCD cameras. These cameras can respond to the faster kinetics of organic voltage and calcium indicators, which closely reflect the fast dynamics of the underlying cellular events.
authors.affiliation: New York Medical College , Department of Physiology, Valhalla, New York 10595, United States.
authors.forename: William N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.affiliation: New York Medical College , Department of Physiology, Valhalla, New York 10595, United States.
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine , Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United States.
authors.forename: Marko A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Popovic
authors.affiliation: Yale University School of Medicine , Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United States.
authors.forename: Dejan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zecevic
keywords: charge-coupled device cameras; epi-fluorescence; image acquisition/recording; neurophotonics; signal-to-noise ratio