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A silent two-photon imaging system for studying in vivo auditory neuronal functions
Xindong Song1, Yueqi Guo2, Chenggang Chen2
1Laboratory of Auditory Neurophysiology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. songxindong@jhmi.edu.
Light, Science & Applications
|April 15, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a silent two-photon imaging system to study auditory functions without acoustic artifacts. This innovation allows detailed analysis of auditory cortex neurons, even at low sound levels, in non-human primates.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Bioimaging
- Auditory System Research
Background:
- Two-photon microscopy is vital for in vivo neuronal imaging, including the auditory system.
- Galvanometer scanners in traditional systems create acoustic artifacts, hindering auditory response interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a silent two-photon imaging system to overcome acoustic artifact limitations.
- To apply this system for studying auditory neuronal functions in non-human primates.
Main Methods:
- Utilized acousto-optical deflectors (AODs) for vibration-free, full-frame raster scanning.
- Achieved optical control of imaging depth without mechanical Z-axis movement.
- Acoustically isolated all sound-generating components to minimize system noise.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a silent two-photon imaging system capable of in vivo auditory neuronal imaging without acoustic interference.
- Successfully imaged auditory cortex neurons in awake marmosets responding to low sound levels.
- The system's noise floor was below the hearing threshold of the common marmoset.
Conclusions:
- This silent two-photon system enables accurate study of auditory neuronal functions.
- Opens new avenues for understanding auditory processing and isolating neural activity from experimental noise.
