Abstract View
VISUALIZATION OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES AT THE CELLULAR AND
SUBCELLULAR LEVEL IN THE CEREBRAL CORTEX OF LIVE MICE
G.Nase; P.J.Helm; O.P.Ottersen*
Centre for Molecular Biology and Neuroscience, Univ. of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Structural changes of neural cells are a hallmark of numerous processes in the normal
and diseased brain. Here we describe a multi photon laser scanning microscope setup
that permits visualization of neuronal and glial structural dynamics in living mice.
The modular system is based on a modified industrial standard CSLM and is assembled
mainly from commercially available components. A special multifunctional stage,
which is optimized for both laser scanning microscopic observation and preparative
surgery, has been developed and built. The detection unit includes a highly efficient
photomultiplier tube installed in a Peltier cooled thermal box shielding the detector
from both room temperature and distortions caused by external electromagnetic fields.
By means of an electro-optical modulator, the power of the applied laser beam can be
accurately adjusted and the time period during which the cells in the brain are exposed
to laser light can be restricted to the actual fluorescence photon sampling time. Thus
photobleaching and thermal damage can be minimized.
Combined with use of transgenic mice expressing fluorescent proteins in neuronal or
glial cells, details such as spines and astrocytic endfeet can be visualized transcranially
down to at least 80 microns below the brain surface. Individual cells and cell
compartments can be imaged repeatedly over extended periods, e.g. in response to
hypoosmotic stress.
Citation:G. Nase, P.J. Helm, O.P. Ottersen. VISUALIZATION OF STRUCTURAL
CHANGES AT THE CELLULAR AND SUBCELLULAR LEVEL IN THE
CEREBRAL CORTEX OF LIVE MICE Program No. 189.9. 2005 Abstract
Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.
2005 Copyright by the Society for Neuroscience all rights reserved. Permission to
republish any abstract or part of any abstract in any form must be obtained in
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