MIT News breed · Wetenschap

High-speed microscopy reveals electrical activity across the brain

MIT engineers have developed a new microscope capable of imaging electrical activity in neurons across an entire organism's brain at millisecond resolution, a significant advancement for mapping neural networks and understanding brain function.

Neurons communicate through electrical impulses, forming vast networks that govern brain functions. This new microscope allows neuroscientists to track these signals across the brain of zebrafish, potentially leading to a better understanding of how neural activity underlies behavior.

The researchers adapted a light sheet microscope for fast, high-volumetric rate imaging, enabling them to observe neural activity patterns in response to stimuli like ultraviolet light. This method captures electrical activity directly, unlike slower calcium imaging techniques.

Previous voltage imaging methods were limited to small, localized brain regions. The MIT team enhanced imaging speed by increasing camera acquisition and microscope scanning speeds, allowing them to scan the entire zebrafish brain 200 times per second.

Testing the microscope with engineered zebrafish neurons expressing a voltage indicator, the researchers observed single voltage spikes and rapid bursts. They also mapped brain activation patterns following UV light stimuli, showing activity propagation in the optic tectum and stimulus-independent sequences in the cerebellum and hindbrain.

Future goals include improving the percentage of neurons imaged, increasing speed and resolution, and expanding the technique to other models like mice. This technology could provide a new way to generate hypotheses about brain activity during specific behaviors and mental states.

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