In vitro and in vivo noise analysis for optical neural recording

Surface plasmon resonance imaging of excitable cells

Surface plasmons (SPs) are surface charge density oscillations occuring at a metal/dieletric interface and are highly sensitive to refractive index variations adjacent to the surface. This sensitivity has been exploited successfully for chemical and biological assays. In these systems, a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based sensor detects temporal variations in the refractive index at a point. SPR has also been used in imaging systems where the spatial variations of refractive index in the sample provide the contrast mechanism. SPR imaging systems using high numerical aperture (NA) objective lenses have been designed to image adherent live cells with high magnification and near-diffraction limited spatial resolution. Addressing research questions in cell physiology and pharmacology often requires the development of a multimodal microscope where complementary information can be obtained. In this paper, we present the development of a multimodal microscope that combines SPR imaging with a number of additional imaging modalities including bright-field, epifluorescence, total internal reflection microscopy and SPR fluorescence microscopy. We used a high NA objective lens for SPR and TIR microscopy and the platform has been used to image live cell cultures demonstrating both fluorescent and label-free techniques. Both the SPR and TIR imaging systems feature a wide field of view (~300 µm) that allows measurements from multiple cells whilst maintaining a resolution sufficient to image fine cellular processes. The capability of the platform to perform label-free functional imaging of living cells was demonstrated by imaging the spatial variations in contractions from stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. This technique shows promise for non-invasive imaging of cultured cells over very long periods of time during development.

Elucidating the temporal dynamics of optical birefringence changes in crustacean nerves

Intrinsic optical properties, such as optical birefringence, may serve as a tool for minimally invasive neuroimaging methods with high spatiotemporal resolution to aid in the study of neuronal activation patterns. To facilitate imaging neuronal activity by sensing dynamic birefringence, temporal characteristics behind the signal must be better understood. We have developed a novel nerve chamber to investigate changes in birefringence at the stimulation site, and at distances ~4-28 mm from that site. Using crustacean nerves with either heterogeneous or homogeneous size distributions of axon diameters, we found that the gradual (slow) recovery of the crossed-polarized signal is not explained by the arrival times of action potentials in smaller axons. Through studying the effects of stimulating current and voltage pulses, we hypothesize that the recovery may be caused by a capacitive-like coupling between firing axons and adjacent tissue structures, and we report data consistent with this hypothesis. This study will aid in the utilization of action-potential-related changes in birefringence to study fast changes in neuronal network activity.

Rapid monitoring of cerebral ischemia dynamics using laser-based optical imaging of blood oxygenation and flow

Imaging blood flow or oxygenation changes using optical techniques is useful for monitoring cortical activity in healthy subjects as well as in diseased states such as stroke or epilepsy. However, in order to gain a better understanding of hemodynamics in conscious, freely moving animals, these techniques must be implemented in a small scale, portable design that is adaptable to a wearable format. We demonstrate a novel system which combines the two techniques of laser speckle contrast imaging and intrinsic optical signal imaging simultaneously, using compact laser sources, to monitor induced cortical ischemia in a full field format with high temporal acquisition rates. We further demonstrate the advantages of using combined measurements of speckle contrast and oxygenation to establish absolute flow velocities, as well as to statistically distinguish between veins and arteries. We accomplish this system using coherence reduction techniques applied to Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) operating at 680, 795 and 850 nm. This system uses minimal optical components and can easily be adapted into a portable format for continuous monitoring of cortical hemodynamics.

Multi-modality optical neural imaging using coherence control of VCSELs

Neural optical imaging can evaluate cortical hemodynamic fluctuations which reflect neural activity and disease state. We evaluate the use of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) as illumination source for simultaneous imaging of blood flow and tissue oxygenation dynamics ex vivo and in vivo and demonstrate optical imaging of blood flow changes and oxygenation changes in response to induced ischemia. Using VCSELs we show a rapid switching from a single-mode to a special multi-mode rapid current sweep operation and noise values reduced to within a factor of 40% compared to non-coherent LED illumination. These VCSELs are promising for long-term portable continuous monitoring of brain dynamics in freely moving animals.

Complete optical neurophysiology: toward optical stimulation and recording of neural tissue

Direct optical methods to stimulate and record neural activity provide artifact-free, noninvasive, and noncontact neurophysiological procedures. For stimulation, focused mid-infrared light alters membrane potential and activates individual neural processes. Simultaneous intrinsic scattered light parameters, including birefringence changes, can record neural activity with signals similar to potentiometric dyes. The simultaneous combination of optical stimulation and optical recording techniques provide the potential for powerful tools that may someday remove the need for invasive wires during electrophysiological recordings.