All-optical bidirectional neural interfacing using hybrid multiphoton holographic optogenetic stimulation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biophotonics
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Advancing neural information processing requires sophisticated 3-D neuroimaging and stimulation techniques.
• Optogenetics and neurophotonic approaches offer noncontact methods for stimulating neural network activity.
• Two-photon holographic optical neural stimulation (2P-HONS) and temporal focusing (TF) enable precise 3-D light patterning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and test a hybrid 2P-TF-HONS stimulation path for bidirectional, cell-targeted 3-D interfacing.
• To integrate this stimulation path into a hybrid multiphoton 3-D imaging system for all-optical probing.
• To advance tools for studying and controlling 3-D neuronal circuits in vitro and in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Introduction and testing of a novel hybrid 2P-TF-HONS stimulation path.
• Integration with a hybrid multiphoton 3-D imaging system.
• Utilizing a regeneratively amplified femtosecond laser source at 905 nm for optogenetic excitation of channelrhodopsin-2 expressing cortical networks.

Main Results:

• Demonstration of accurate parallel optogenetic excitation in 3-D.
• Successful targeted all-optical probing of in vitro cortical networks.
• Validation of the hybrid system's capability for precise neural stimulation and imaging.

Conclusions:

• The developed hybrid 2P-TF-HONS system represents a significant advancement for 3-D neural interfacing.
• This technology facilitates detailed study of neuronal circuits.
• It offers a prospective tool for distributed control over complex 3-D neuronal circuits.