Development of the fluorescence micro-endoscope system for the functional deep brain imaging

抄録

To unravel the dynamics of the neuronal circuit, multicellular neuronal activities should be analyzed. Optical imaging from neuronal populations in vivo is feasible for analyzing the dynamics of the neuronal circuit. A multiphoton microscope can observe deeper brain regions, but cannot observe deeper than the cortical region. We designed and developed the fluorescent imaging system equipped with the micro-endoscope for deep brain imaging. This endoscope was consisted with a GRIN lens and an image fiber, and has a smaller diameter and a higher special resolution than traditional endoscopes. We have also developed the special optical system for the endoscope. The main component of the optical system has a size within 40 cm square. Using this optical system, the fluorescence images were captured from neurons expressing green fluorescent protein in a mouse brain preparation. Our portable imaging system would facilitate the in vivo imaging studies with less invasive manners.