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Updated: Feb 19, 2026
Mesoscopic Optical Imaging of Whole Mouse Heart
Published on: October 14, 2021
The protocol for mesoscopic wide-field optical imaging in mice: from zero to hero
Evgenia N Kislukhina1, Natalia V Lizunova1, Alexander M Surin2
1Laboratory of Neurobiology and Fundamentals of Brain Development, National Medical Research Center for Children's Health Federal State Autonomous Institution of the Russian Federation Ministry of Health, Building 1, 2 Lomonosovsky Prospekt, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
This study details a novel protocol for wide-field optical brain imaging in mice, enabling researchers to visualize brain activity in awake, behaving animals. The method facilitates detailed analysis of brain hemodynamics and metabolism with high precision.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Optical Imaging
- Surgical Protocols
Background:
- Mastering mesoscopic wide-field optical brain imaging requires specialized surgical and imaging techniques.
- Existing methods may lack the precision or applicability for studying awake, behaving subjects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide comprehensive protocols for researchers to perform mesoscopic wide-field optical brain imaging.
- To enable visualization of the dorsal cortex in mice using advanced imaging techniques.
Main Methods:
- Surgical procedures for creating wide-field cranial windows (up to 60% of cortex) via skull thinning.
- Assembly of imaging systems, headplate creation for stable fixation, and animal training.
- Utilizing wide-field optical imaging and laser-speckle contrast imaging for data acquisition.
Main Results:
- A robust protocol for creating transparent cranial windows lasting over three months.
- Successful simultaneous measurement of hemodynamic parameters (oxy-, deoxy-, total hemoglobin) and intracellular changes (FAD, Ca2+, pH, Cl-).
- Demonstrated ability to image awake, behaving mice with secure head fixation.
Conclusions:
- The developed protocol offers a comprehensive and accessible method for mesoscopic wide-field optical brain imaging.
- This technique allows for detailed investigation of brain hemodynamics and metabolism in freely moving subjects.
- The protocol supports simultaneous multimodal measurements, advancing neuroscience research.
