BRAIN project (Plenz): Readout and Control of Spatiotemporal Neuronal Codes of Behavior

National Institute Of Mental Health

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Abstract

During the fourth year of this U19 grant, we made substantial progress in quantifying the performance of our in vivo 2-photon imaging (2PI) in combination with spatial light modulation for single cell stimulation in the awake animal. 1. Areal and interareal targeting of neuronal activity. We further optimized our ability to identify primary and higher-order visual areas in the cortex of living mice. These high-precision maps are important for targeted stimulation in the brain. This line of research was further expanded by the successful installation of a 2-photon imaging mesoscope in conjunction with the Histed group. The mesoscope will allow for simultaneous recording of several brain areas with high cellular resolution. 2. Progress in co-expression of GECI and opsin Co-expression of the genetically encoded calcium indicator (GECI) and a complementary opsin for stimulation is required for an all optical approach which records and stimulates using light. Unfortunately, often individual cell express either the GECI or the opsin, but not both. Careful titration studies of various GECI/opsin combinations allowed us to arrive at reasonable co-expression rates allowing us to proceed with out experimental goals.