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Meso-Py: Dual Brain Cortical Calcium Imaging in Mice during Head-Fixed Social Stimulus Presentation.
Nicholas J Michelson1,2, Federico Bolaños1,2, Luis A Bolaños1,2
1Department of Psychiatry, Kinsmen Laboratory of Neurological Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.
Eneuro
|December 6, 2023
Summary
We developed an affordable, open-source Raspberry Pi imaging system for observing two mice interacting. This system revealed synchronized brain activity between mice during social touch, highlighting the neural basis of social behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Bioengineering
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Understanding social interactions requires observing simultaneous neural activity in multiple animals.
- Existing neuroimaging systems can be costly and lack portability.
- Developing cost-effective, compact systems is crucial for advancing social neuroscience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel, open-source, Raspberry Pi-based widefield imaging system.
- To enable simultaneous, close-proximity cortical functional imaging in two head-fixed mice during social interaction.
- To investigate cross-mouse correlated cortical activity during social touch.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a compact, cost-effective Raspberry Pi-based widefield imaging system.
- Development of a rail system for controlled social interaction between two head-fixed mice.
- Simultaneous recording of cortical neuronal activity (GCaMP6s) in both mice before, during, and after social contact.
Main Results:
- Observed bouts of mutual whisking and cross-mouse correlated cortical activity during social contact.
- Correlated activity was specific to individual interactions, not observed in shuffled pairs.
- Whisking-related cortical signals and global synchronizing effects on cortical activity were detected during social stimulus presentation.
Conclusions:
- The developed imaging system facilitates cost-effective, simultaneous dual-brain functional imaging.
- Social touch elicits specific, correlated cortical activity patterns in interacting mice.
- Social interactions have widespread, synchronizing effects on cortical activity beyond the immediate sensory regions.
