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Visualizing cortical response to optogenetic stimulation and sensory inputs using multispectral handheld optoacoustic
Saak V Ovsepian1,2,3,4, Yuanyuan Jiang5, Thomas C P Sardella6
1Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
Photoacoustics
|March 11, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed a handheld optoacoustic (photoacoustic) brain imaging probe for in vivo studies. This portable system visualizes hemoglobin changes in rat brains, offering a new tool for neuroscience research and diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Biomedical Optics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Current in vivo neuroimaging is typically stationary, requiring extensive infrastructure.
- Existing methods lack portability and flexibility for dynamic brain studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel, handheld optoacoustic (photoacoustic) imaging system for brain visualization.
- To demonstrate the system's capability for real-time monitoring of cerebral hemodynamics.
Main Methods:
- Development of a lightweight, handheld probe for optoacoustic (photoacoustic) imaging.
- Multispectral video-rate acquisition of brain activity in adult rats.
- Induction of cortical changes via sensory stimulation and optogenetics.
Main Results:
- Successful visualization of hemoglobin gradient changes in the rat cortex.
- Real-time imaging of brain responses to whisker and forelimb stimuli.
- Demonstration of imaging optogenetically stimulated intra-cortical connections.
Conclusions:
- The handheld probe offers a portable and versatile solution for in vivo neuroimaging.
- This technology provides superb penetration and molecular specificity for brain studies.
- The system has significant potential for research, ambulatory neuroimaging, and clinical diagnostics.
