Towards a comprehensive understanding of brain machinery by correlative microscopy

Year: 2015

Authors: Allegra Mascaro A. M., Silvestri L., Sacconi L., Pavone F. S.

Autors Affiliation: University of Florence, European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, Via Nello Carrara 1, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy; National Research Council, National Institute of Optics, Largo Fermi 6, Firenze 50125, Italy; University of Florence, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Via Sansone 1, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy; International Center for Computational Neurophotonics (ICON) Foundation, Via Nello Carrara 1, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Italy

Abstract: Unraveling the complexity of brain structure and function is the biggest challenge of contemporary science. Due to their flexibility, optical techniques are the key to exploring this intricate network. However, a single imaging technique can reveal only a small part of this machinery due to its inherent multilevel organization. To obtain a more comprehensive view of brain functionality, complementary approaches have been combined. For instance, brain activity was monitored simultaneously on different spatiotemporal scales with functional magnetic resonance imaging and calcium imaging. On the other hand, dynamic information on the structural plasticity of neuronal networks has been contextualized in a wider framework combining two-photon and light-sheet microscopy. Finally, synaptic features have been revealed on previously in vivo imaged samples by correlative light-electron microscopy. Although these approaches have revealed important features of brain machinery, they provided small bridges between specific spatiotemporal scales, lacking an omni-comprehensive view. In this perspective, we briefly review the state of the art of correlative techniques and propose a wider methodological framework fusing multiple levels of brain investigation. (C) 2015 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

Journal/Review: JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS

Volume: 20 (6)      Pages from: 061105-1  to: 061105-7

More Information: This research has received funding from LASERLAB-EUROPE (grant agreements no. 284464, EC\’s Seventh Framework Programme) and has been supported by the Italian Ministry for Education, University and Research in the framework of the Flagship Project NANOMAX. This work has been supported by Regione Toscana in the framework of POR-CreO 2007-2013 action (SMAG project). This work has been supported by \”Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze.\” This work is part of the activities of the European Flagship Human Brain Project (grant agreement no. 604102). Part of this work was performed in the frame of the Proof of Concept Studies for the ESFRI research infrastructure project Euro-BioImaging at the PCS facility LENS.
KeyWords: neurons; two-photon microscopy; light-sheet microscopy; in vivo imaging; MRI
DOI: 10.1117/1.JBO.20.6.061105

Citations: 11
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