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A Polished and Reinforced Thinned-skull Window for Long-term Imaging of the Mouse Brain
Published on: March 7, 2012
Chronic optical access through a polished and reinforced thinned skull
Patrick J Drew1, Andy Y Shih, Jonathan D Driscoll
1Department of Physics, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.
Nature Methods
|October 23, 2010
Summary
Researchers developed a novel method for creating stable optical windows in mouse skulls, enabling long-term brain imaging. This technique allows for detailed observation of blood flow, neural structures, and microstrokes in awake mice without inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Optical Imaging
Background:
- Chronic inflammation and instability hinder long-term in vivo brain imaging in mice.
- Previous methods often lead to adverse tissue reactions, limiting repeated observations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a minimally invasive, stable optical window for chronic in vivo imaging of the mouse brain.
- To enable longitudinal studies of neurovascular dynamics, cellular structures, and functional responses.
Main Methods:
- A novel surgical technique to create a millimeters-spanning optical window in the mouse skull.
- Sustained imaging of cortical capillaries, dendritic spines, and microglia over months.
- Integration of optogenetics for motor output stimulation and photosensitizers for microstroke induction.
Main Results:
- The optical window remained stable for months without inducing brain inflammation.
- Successfully performed repeated imaging of blood flow, revealing long-range correlations in capillary speed.
- Enabled visualization of dendritic spines, microglia, and angioarchitecture over extended periods.
Conclusions:
- This method provides an unprecedented stable platform for chronic in vivo neuroscience research.
- Facilitates longitudinal studies of brain function, disease models, and therapeutic interventions in awake, behaving mice.
