A cortex-wide multimodal microscope for simultaneous Ca²⁺ and hemodynamic imaging in awake mice

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Imaging

Background:

• Cortex-wide optical imaging advances neurovascular coupling studies.
• Existing modalities offer limited views of neural or hemodynamic activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a cortex-wide multimodal microscope (multiScope) for simultaneous observation of neural and hemodynamic activity.
• To enable comprehensive analysis of neurovascular coupling across the entire cortex.

Main Methods:

• Integration of widefield Ca2+ fluorescence microscopy, optical resolution photoacoustic microscopy, and laser speckle contrast imaging.
• Utilizing endogenous biomarkers to observe neuron firing, total hemoglobin, and blood flow velocity.
• Achieving a cortex-wide field-of-view (Ø 8.6 mm) with high spatial resolution.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated multi-parametric imaging capability of the multiScope in animal models.
• Observed fast neural and hemodynamic activities across the entire cortex.
• Performed global and local neurovascular coupling analyses under different brain stimulations.

Conclusions:

• The multiScope enables simultaneous, cortex-wide observation of neural and hemodynamic activities.
• This technology advances the study of neurovascular coupling by providing comprehensive, multi-parametric data.
• The multiScope is a powerful tool for investigating brain function and stimulation responses.