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Implantation of a Cranial Window for Repeated In Vivo Imaging in Awake Mice
Published on: June 22, 2021
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Chronic Cranial Window for Imaging Cortical Activity in Head-Fixed Mice.
Sigita Augustinaite1, Bernd Kuhn1
1Optical Neuroimaging Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, 904-0495 Okinawa, Japan.
STAR Protocols
|December 30, 2020
Summary
Chronic cranial window surgery enables high-quality in vivo imaging in neuroscience. This improved protocol significantly increases success rates for long-term imaging of mouse brain activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Surgical techniques
- In vivo imaging
Background:
- Chronic cranial window surgery is essential for longitudinal in vivo imaging in neuroscience research.
- Existing protocols may have limitations affecting success rates and imaging quality over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a refined surgical protocol for chronic cranial windows.
- To enhance the success rate and longevity of cranial windows for neuroscience imaging.
Main Methods:
- Detailed description of a modified surgical protocol for chronic cranial window implantation in mice.
- Utilized intrinsic signal imaging and two-photon imaging techniques.
- Focused on imaging layer 6 neurons in the visual cortex of head-fixed behaving mice.
Main Results:
- The improved protocol significantly increases the success rate of chronic cranial window surgery.
- High-quality imaging is achievable within the first week post-surgery.
- The cranial window remains clear and suitable for imaging for several months.
Conclusions:
- This optimized protocol provides a reliable method for chronic cranial window implantation.
- It facilitates high-resolution, long-term in vivo imaging in neuroscience.
- The technique is valuable for studying brain function in behaving animals.
