Comparison of intravital thinned skull and cranial window approaches to study CNS immunobiology in the mouse cortex

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Imaging
• Cellular Biology

Background:

• Intra-vital imaging allows for real-time observation of cellular processes within living tissues.
• High-resolution femtosecond pulsed infrared lasers and fluorescent imaging enable deeper tissue interrogation.
• Central nervous system (CNS) imaging provides insights into neuronal development, synaptic transmission, and immune interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and compare two primary intravital imaging techniques for the mouse cerebral cortex.
• To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the thinned skull and cranial window approaches.
• To highlight the importance of neuronal physiologic parameters for successful surgical and imaging preparation.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on intravital imaging techniques for the rodent brain.
• Comparison of the thinned skull and cranial window methods based on established criteria.
• Discussion of critical factors for successful pre-clinical CNS imaging.

Main Results:

• Both thinned skull and cranial window techniques offer unique benefits for intravital imaging of the cerebral cortex.
• Each method presents specific challenges and limitations that influence experimental design and outcomes.
• Neuronal physiologic parameters are crucial indicators of the quality of surgical preparation and imaging success.

Conclusions:

• The choice between thinned skull and cranial window techniques depends on specific research questions and experimental constraints.
• Optimizing surgical and imaging protocols, guided by neuronal physiology, is essential for reliable pre-clinical CNS research.
• Intravital imaging advancements continue to enhance our understanding of brain function and disease.