In vivo calcium recordings and channelrhodopsin-2 activation through an optical fiber

We describe here an approach for the fluorometric monitoring of population activity in neurons in live mice combined with the activation of optogenetic actuators in vivo. In this protocol, a thin multimode fiber, which is used for both delivering excitation light and collecting emitted fluorescence signals, is inserted into the skull of a mouse. When combined with multicell bolus loading of Ca(2+) indicators, this optical fiber and its associated fluorescence detection system can be used for the in vivo recording of brain Ca(2+) signals from a local cluster of coactive neurons. The fiber can also be used for the optogenetic stimulation of light-activated ion channels, such as channelrhodopsin-2, allowing the monitoring of local calcium signals evoked by optogenetic stimulation.