Multi-region, extended-depth imaging of neural activity via a novel needle microendoscope

通过新型针显微内窥镜对神经活动进行多区域、深度成像

基本信息

批准号：
8953984
负责人：
Jerome Mertz
金额：
$ 24.56万
依托单位：
BOSTON UNIVERSITY (CHARLES RIVER CAMPUS)
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
财政年份：
2015
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2015-07-01 至 2017-04-30
项目状态：
已结题

项目摘要

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): With the continuing expansion of optogenetic tools, the central importance of optical measurement of neural activity has and will continue to grow. However, large scale optical approaches, such as pursued by the BRAIN Initiative, must overcome high light scattering in brain tissue. Moreover, optical approaches should be feasible in behaving animals, including freely moving mice. We will develop an ultra-miniature microendoscope, termed a needle optrode, made with a bare fiber bundle beveled to a fine tip. The smaller size and beveling improves tissue penetration and lowers tissue damage compared to existing technology, and arranges the field of view for imaging across layered structures such as neocortex. The core project contribution is achieving miniaturization through a lensless design, using an innovative coupling of array detector to enable fluorescence background rejection and remote focusing. We will demonstrate the power of our approach for collecting large scale, multiregion data by recording simultaneously from aligned cortical and thalamic regions of the mouse somatosensory system, in anesthetized mice. Completion of these aims will prepare us to record simultaneously throughout an entire thalamocortical whisker processing network, including both feedforward and feedback projections, and be a first step towards performing these recordings in an awake animal actively engaging objects of interest in a tactile task. Moreover, our approach --- providing multiregion, cellular resolution recording of genetically identified cell types, with possible extension to behaving animals --- will support similar experiments across brain regions and systems, as one of the high priority components of the BRAIN initiative.

描述（由申请人提供）：随着光遗传学工具的不断扩展，神经活动光学测量的核心重要性已经并将继续增长，然而，大规模光学方法（例如 BRAIN Initiative 所追求的方法）必须克服强光。此外，光学方法对于行为动物（包括自由活动的小鼠）应该是可行的，我们将开发一种超微型显微内窥镜，称为针光极，由斜切至细尖的裸露纤维束制成。与现有技术相比，更小的尺寸和斜角提高了组织穿透性并降低了组织损伤，并安排了跨层结构（例如新皮质）成像的视野。该项目的核心贡献是通过无透镜设计，使用阵列探测器的创新耦合来实现小型化。为了实现荧光背景抑制和远程聚焦，我们将通过在麻醉小鼠中同时记录小鼠体感系统的对齐皮层和丘脑区域来展示我们的方法收集大规模多区域数据的能力。完成这些目标将使我们能够在整个丘脑皮质胡须处理网络中同时进行记录，包括前馈和反馈预测，并且是在我们的方法中在清醒的动物中积极参与感兴趣的物体中执行这些记录的第一步。 --- 提供多区域、细胞分辨率的记录基因鉴定的细胞类型，并可能扩展到行为动物——将支持跨大脑区域和系统的类似实验，作为 BRAIN 计划的高度优先组成部分之一。