The Difference in Property between Excitatory and Inhibitory Neurons, as Revealed by in vivo Two-photon Functional Ca²⁺ Imaging

Abstract

“in vivo two-photon functional Ca²⁺ imaging” is a powerful tool to analyze neural circuits of the cerebral cortex in the physiological condition. To monitor activities of excitatory neurons, inhibitory (GABAergic) neurons and astrocytes, we applied this imaging method to visual cortex of transgenic mice, in which GABAergic neurons express fluorescent protein (EGFP or Venus). With this method, we can monitor the neural activities from hundreds of excitatory and GABAergic neurons (and also from astrocytes) in vivo. We found that the difference in response selectivity and ocular dominance plasticity between excitatory and GABAergic neuron in the mouse visual cortex.