New Angles on Neuronal Dendrites In Vivo

Department of Neurophysiology, Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Submitted 31 July 2007; accepted in final form 24 September 2007 Imaging technologies are well suited to study neuronal dendrites, which are key elements for synaptic integration in the CNS. Dendrites...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of neurophysiology Vol. 98; no. 6; pp. 3770 - 3779
Main Authors Gobel, Werner, Helmchen, Fritjof
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Am Phys Soc 01.12.2007
Subjects
Animals
Calcium Signaling - physiology
Cerebellum - cytology
Cerebellum - physiology
Data Interpretation, Statistical
Dendrites - physiology
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Microscopy, Confocal
Neocortex - cytology
Neocortex - physiology
Neurons - physiology
Purkinje Cells - physiology
Pyramidal Cells - physiology
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Department of Neurophysiology, Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland Submitted 31 July 2007; accepted in final form 24 September 2007 Imaging technologies are well suited to study neuronal dendrites, which are key elements for synaptic integration in the CNS. Dendrites are, however, frequently oriented perpendicular to tissue surfaces, impeding in vivo imaging approaches. Here we introduce novel laser-scanning modes for two-photon microscopy that enable in vivo imaging of spatiotemporal activity patterns in dendrites. First, we developed a method to image planes arbitrarily oriented in 3D, which proved particularly beneficial for calcium imaging of parallel fibers and Purkinje cell dendrites in rat cerebellar cortex. Second, we applied free linescans—either through multiple dendrites or along a single vertically oriented dendrite—to reveal fast dendritic calcium dynamics in neocortical pyramidal neurons. Finally, we invented a ribbon-type 3D scanning method for imaging user-defined convoluted planes enabling simultaneous measurements of calcium signals along multiple apical dendrites. These novel scanning modes will facilitate optical probing of dendritic function in vivo. Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: F. Helmchen, Dept. of Neurophysiology, Brain Research Institute, Winterthurerstr. 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland (E-mail: helmchen{at}hifo.uzh.ch )
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:0022-3077
1522-1598
DOI:10.1152/jn.00850.2007