title: Gradient Index Microlens Implanted in Prefrontal Cortex of Mouse Does Not Affect Behavioral Test Performance over Time.
abstract: Implanted gradient index lenses have extended the reach of standard multiphoton microscopy from the upper layers of the mouse cortex to the lower cortical layers and even subcortical regions. These lenses have the clarity to visualize dynamic activities, such as calcium transients, with subcellular and millisecond resolution and the stability to facilitate repeated imaging over weeks and months. In addition, behavioral tests can be used to correlate performance with observed changes in network function and structure that occur over time. Yet, this raises the questions, does an implanted microlens have an effect on behavioral tests, and if so, what is the extent of the effect? To answer these questions, we compared the performance of three groups of mice in three common behavioral tests. A gradient index lens was implanted in the prefrontal cortex of experimental mice. We compared their performance with mice that had either a cranial window or a sham surgery. Three presurgical and five postsurgical sets of behavioral tests were performed over seven weeks. Behavioral tests included rotarod, foot fault, and Morris water maze. No significant differences were found between the three groups, suggesting that microlens implantation did not affect performance. The results for the current study clear the way for combining behavioral studies with gradient index lens imaging in the prefrontal cortex, and potentially other regions of the mouse brain, to study structural, functional, and behavioral relationships in the brain.
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomedical Research and Rehabilitation Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Seon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomedical Research and Rehabilitation Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Kevin S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Holly
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomedical Research and Rehabilitation Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Vladislav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Voziyanov
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States of America.
authors.forename: Stephanie L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Villalba
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rudi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomedical Research and Rehabilitation Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Holly E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Grigsby
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, United States of America.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Glasscock
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Francis G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Szele
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomedical Research and Rehabilitation Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vlachos
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomedical Research and Rehabilitation Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, United States of America.
authors.forename: Teresa A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000067290:Behavior Rating Scale; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D020007:Implants, Experimental / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007909:Lenses; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D036641:Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000601:surgery*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D045442:Rotarod Performance Test / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins