All-optical inter-layers functional connectivity investigation in the mouse retina.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Optical Imaging
• Circuitry Analysis

Background:

• Understanding neural circuits requires tools to probe cell interactions.
• Interrogating multi-layered neural systems presents significant technical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multi-unit microscope for all-optical interrogation of inter-layer neural circuits.
• To map functional connectivity between specific cell types in the mouse retina.

Main Methods:

• Developed a novel multi-unit microscope enabling simultaneous two-photon (2P) functional imaging and 2P multiplexed holographic optogenetics.
• Applied the system to the mouse retina, activating single or groups of rod bipolar cells (RBCs).
• Recorded evoked responses in ganglion cells (GCs) with single-cell resolution and cell-type specificity.

Main Results:

• Successfully mapped functional connectivity between RBCs and GCs in the mouse retina.
• Derived cellular receptive fields using a logistic model to quantify RBC influence on GC types.
• Demonstrated cell-type-specific and single-cell resolution mapping of neural information transfer.

Conclusions:

• The developed microscope precisely interrogates multi-layered circuits by simultaneously imaging and controlling neuronal activity at distinct axial planes.
• This technology provides a powerful approach to dissect complex neural circuits and understand neural computations.
• Enables detailed investigation of information transfer within neural networks.