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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Targeted Labeling of Neurons in a Specific Functional Micro-domain of the Neocortex by Combining Intrinsic Signal and Two-photon Imaging

Targeted Labeling of Neurons in a Specific Functional Micro-domain of the Neocortex by Combining Intrinsic Signal and Two-photon Imaging

Published on: December 12, 2012

Imaging neuronal structure dynamics using 2-photon super-resolution patterned excitation reconstruction microscopy.

Ben E Urban¹, Lei Xiao², Biqin Dong¹

¹Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.

Journal of Biophotonics

|October 5, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Two-photon super-resolution patterned excitation reconstruction (2P-SuPER) microscopy enables deep brain imaging of neuronal structures. This advanced technique visualizes dendritic spine dynamics with nanoscale resolution at depths up to 130 μm.

Keywords:

dendritic spine neuron nonlinear optics super-resolution microscopy

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Last Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Targeted Labeling of Neurons in a Specific Functional Micro-domain of the Neocortex by Combining Intrinsic Signal and Two-photon Imaging

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Published on: December 12, 2012

Two-photon Calcium Imaging in Neuronal Dendrites in Brain Slices

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Published on: March 15, 2018

Super-Resolution Imaging to Study Co-Localization of Proteins and Synaptic Markers in Primary Neurons

Super-Resolution Imaging to Study Co-Localization of Proteins and Synaptic Markers in Primary Neurons

Published on: October 31, 2020

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Microscopy
Cell Biology

Background:

Visualizing deep neuronal structures in scattering brain tissue is difficult.
Existing nanoscopy methods have limitations in imaging depth, speed, and light exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel microscopy technique for deep brain imaging of neuronal structures.
To overcome the limitations of current nanoscopy techniques for in vivo imaging.

Main Methods:

Developed two-photon super-resolution patterned excitation reconstruction (2P-SuPER) microscopy.
Validated resolution with phantoms and imaged neurons in acute brain slices.
Applied technique to study synaptic plasticity in living brain tissue.

Main Results:

Achieved 3D imaging of dendritic spine dynamics at 130 μm depth with ~100 nm resolution.
Resolved increases in dendritic spine head sizes following stimulation.
Detected nanoscopic changes in dendritic spine neck widths, a previously uninvestigated feature.

Conclusions:

2P-SuPER microscopy significantly advances the ability to image neuronal structures deep within the brain.
The technique provides new insights into the nanoscale mechanisms of synaptic plasticity.
2P-SuPER overcomes critical resolution and penetration depth limitations of prior imaging technologies.