Gli autori riconoscono il supporto della American Heart Association (0735136N), Dana Foundation, la National Science Foundation (CBET/0737731), e la Fondazione Coulter.

1. Imaging installazione <ol><li> Una fotocamera con un obiettivo zoom macro deve essere montato su un palcoscenico verticale o microscopio operatorio (invece di un obiettivo zoom macro, un obiettivo microscopio e lente o di un semplice sistema a due lenti potrebbero essere utilizzati a seconda delle ingrandimento desiderato). </li><li> Scaricare il software appropriato dal nostro sito web per controllare la telecamera ( <a href="http://bach.bme.utexas.edu/mediawiki/index.php/Software">http://bach.bme.utexas.edu/mediawiki/index.php/Software</a> ). </li><li> Il software della fotocamera dovrebbe essere usato per confermare un oggetto è a fuoco all&#39;altezza desiderata </li><li> Un diodo laser con un kit di collimazione dovrebbe quindi essere impostato in modo che la luce laser divergente illumina l&#39;oggetto. </li><li> Abbassare / spegnere tutte le luci ambiente per confermare che la luce laser viene illuminando in modo uniforme l&#39;intero campo visivo della telecamera. </li><li> In questo esempio, il rosso la luce laser è stata usata perché era più facile dimostrare come costruire il sistema, ma la luce laser a infrarossi potrebbe facilmente essere usato e inoltre avrebbe il vantaggio di penetrare nei tessuti più profondi. Inoltre, con filtri appropriati di fronte alla telecamera di bloccare la luce visibile, luce infrarossa potrebbe essere utilizzato con le luci della stanza su. </li></ol> 2. Preparazione chirurgica <ol><li> Si tratta di un intervento chirurgico non-sopravvivenza, anche se l&#39;esperimento potrebbe essere fatto cronicamente in uno studio di sopravvivenza, utilizzando una finestra di camera. </li><li> Anestetizzare l&#39;animale e metterlo in una cornice stereotassica. </li><li> Togliere la pelle ei tessuti che circondano il cranio. </li><li> Utilizzando un trapano dentistico, sottile il cranio sopra la regione del cervello alla trasparenza desiderata facendo attenzione a lavare la superficie con soluzione salina di frequente in modo da evitare di danneggiare il cervello. </li><li> Usa cemento dentale per creare un pozzo nella regione desiderata e poi una goccia di olio minerale o gel di silicone nel pozzo per migliorare la visibilità. </li><li> In alternativa, il teschio potrebbe essere rimosso e una finestra della camera potrebbe essere creato qui. </li></ol> 3. Raccolta dei dati <ol><li> Utilizzare il software della fotocamera per acquisire le immagini e anche di calcolare speckle valori di contrasto. </li><li> Mettere l&#39;animale nel campo visivo della telecamera e regolare l&#39;altezza della fotocamera o messa a fuoco dell&#39;obiettivo fino immagini chiare del sistema vascolare sono visti. </li><li> Assicurarsi che la luce laser è sufficiente raggiungere la telecamera senza saturare esso. Utilizzando l&#39;istogramma dell&#39;immagine, regolare la potenza del laser per garantire la maggior parte dei pixel della fotocamera sono entusiasti di circa metà della loro capacità. </li><li> Selezionare il numero di immagini che si desidera acquisire e quanto in media da fare prima di iniziare l&#39;esperimento. </li><li> Una volta che l&#39;esperimento ha inizio, i cambiamenti del flusso sanguigno può essere facilmente monitorato selezionando le regioni di interesse o di generare un&#39;immagine del flusso sanguigno relativa. </li></ol> 4. Rappresentante Risultati La Figura 1 mostra un esempio di un tipico prime speckle immagine e un contrasto immagine convertita speckle che dovrebbe essere generato quando si utilizza il software per esaminare il flusso di sangue nel cervello. Per visualizzare i cambiamenti del flusso sanguigno, è più facile avere il software generare mappe relativo del flusso sanguigno. La Figura 2 mostra una tipica serie di immagini relative flusso di sangue nel corso di un aumento transitorio del flusso sanguigno che attraversa il campo visivo. Il colore rosso rappresenta un aumento del flusso sanguigno, mentre il colore blu indica una diminuzione. Il colore verde indica che non vi è alcun cambiamento nel flusso di sangue rispetto a un dato di base. <img src="/files/ftp_upload/2004/2004fig1.jpg" alt="Figura 1" /> Figura 1. Esempio di speckle prima immagine (a sinistra) e immagine speckle contrasto (a destra). <img src="/files/ftp_upload/2004/2004fig2.jpg" alt="Figura 2" /> Figura 2. Esempio di immagini diverse relativo flusso di sangue in diversi momenti nel corso di un aumento transitorio del flusso sanguigno seguito da una diminuzione del flusso sanguigno.

<ol>
	<li>Briers, J. D., Fercher, A. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Retinal+blood-flow+visualization+by+means+of+laser+speckle+photography.">Retinal blood-flow visualization by means of laser speckle photography.</a> Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 22, 255-259 (1982).</li><li>Boas, D. A., Dunn, A. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Laser+speckle+contrast+imaging+in+biomedical+optics.">Laser speckle contrast imaging in biomedical optics.</a> J. Biomed. Opt. 15, 011109-011109 (2010).</li><li>Dunn, A. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Simultaneous+imaging+of+total+cerebral+hemoglobin+concentration,+oxygenation,+and+blood+flow+during+functional+activation.">Simultaneous imaging of total cerebral hemoglobin concentration, oxygenation, and blood flow during functional activation.</a> Opt Lett. 28, 28-30 (2003).</li><li>Devor, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Coupling+of+the+cortical+hemodynamic+response+to+cortical+and+thalamic+neuronal+activity.">Coupling of the cortical hemodynamic response to cortical and thalamic neuronal activity.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 102, 3822-3827 (2005).</li><li>Ayata, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pronounced+hypoperfusion+during+spreading+depression+in+mouse+cortex.">Pronounced hypoperfusion during spreading depression in mouse cortex.</a> J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 24, 1172-1182 (2004).</li><li>Jones, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Simultaneous+multispectral+reflectance+imaging+and+laser+speckle+flowmetry+of+cerebral+blood+flow+and+oxygen+metabolism+in+focal+cerebral+ischemia.">Simultaneous multispectral reflectance imaging and laser speckle flowmetry of cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism in focal cerebral ischemia.</a> J. Biomed. Opt. 13, (2008).</li><li>Dunn, A. K., Bolay, H., Moskowitz, M. A., Boas, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dynamic+imaging+of+cerebral+blood+flow+using+laser+speckle.">Dynamic imaging of cerebral blood flow using laser speckle.</a> J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 21, 195-201 (2001).</li><li>Dunn, A. K., Devor, A., Dale, A. M., Boas, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spatial+extent+of+oxygen+metabolism+and+hemodynamic+changes+during+functional+activation+of+the+rat+somatosensory+cortex.">Spatial extent of oxygen metabolism and hemodynamic changes during functional activation of the rat somatosensory cortex.</a> Neuroimage. 27, 279-290 (2005).</li><li>Farkas, E., Bari, F., Obrenovitch, T. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multi-modal+imaging+of+anoxic+depolarization+and+hemodynamic+changes+induced+by+cardiac+arrest+in+the+rat+cerebral+cortex.">Multi-modal imaging of anoxic depolarization and hemodynamic changes induced by cardiac arrest in the rat cerebral cortex.</a> Neuroimage. 51, 734-742 (2010).</li><li>Sakadzic, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Simultaneous+imaging+of+cerebral+partial+pressure+of+oxygen+and+blood+flow+during+functional+activation+and+cortical+spreading+depression.">Simultaneous imaging of cerebral partial pressure of oxygen and blood flow during functional activation and cortical spreading depression.</a> Appl. Opt. 48, (2009).</li><li>Ponticorvo, A., Dunn, A. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Simultaneous+imaging+of+oxygen+tension+and+blood+flow+in+animals+using+a+digital+micromirror+device.">Simultaneous imaging of oxygen tension and blood flow in animals using a digital micromirror device.</a> Opt Express. 18, 8160-8170 (2010).</li></ol>

Nessun conflitto di interessi dichiarati.

In questo video che abbiamo dimostrato come sia facile costruire e utilizzare un laser speckle immagini contrasto (LSCI) sistema per guardare i cambiamenti del flusso sanguigno. LSCI è stato sviluppato nel 1980 come un modo per generare mappe di flusso di sangue nella retina 1. Mentre è ancora usato per l&#39;immagine della perfusione retina e la pelle, è diventato estremamente popolare come una tecnica per il flusso di sangue nel cervello l&#39;immagine 2. Ciò è dovuto alla risoluzione eccell...

La tecnica è abbastanza versatile per essere utilizzato con una vasta gamma di attrezzature. Le uniche cose necessarie per eseguire l&#39;esperimento sono una fotocamera compatibile con una lente, un diodo laser di qualsiasi tipo con un controller e il software fornito. Una tabella delle attrezzature specifiche utilizzate nel video è incluso sopra. Una lista completa delle parti aggiuntive che possono essere utilizzati in questo esperimento si trova sul nostro sito, <a href="http://bach.bme.utexas.edu/mediawiki/index.php/Hardware">http://bach.bme.utexas.edu/mediawiki/index.php/Hardware</a>

how to build a laser speckle contrast imaging (lsci) system to monitor blood flow

Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) è una tecnica semplice ma potente che viene utilizzato per tutto campo l&#39;imaging del flusso sanguigno. La tecnica di analisi fluttuazioni di un modello dinamico speckle per rilevare il movimento delle particelle simile a come laser Doppler analisi spostamenti di frequenza per determinare la velocità delle particelle. Perché può essere utilizzato per monitorare il movimento dei globuli rossi, LSCI è diventato un popolare strumento per misurare il flusso sanguigno in tessuti come la retina, la pelle e cervello. E &#39;diventato particolarmente utile nel campo delle neuroscienze in cui i cambiamenti del flusso sanguigno in occasione di eventi fisiologici, come l&#39;attivazione funzionale, ictus, e depolarizzazione diffusione può essere quantificato. LSCI è interessante anche perché offre un&#39;ottima risoluzione spaziale e temporale durante l&#39;utilizzo di strumenti poco costosi che possono essere facilmente combinati con altre modalità di imaging. Qui vi mostriamo come costruire un setup LSCI e dimostrare la sua capacità di monitorare i cambiamenti del flusso sanguigno nel cervello durante un esperimento animale.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about How to Build a Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging LSCI System to Monitor Blood Flow at JoVE.com

How to Build a Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging LSCI System to Monitor Blood Flow

Questo video mostra come costruire un laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI), sistema che può facilmente essere utilizzato per monitorare il flusso di sangue.

Come costruire un Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) di sistema per monitorare il flusso di sangue

Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) is a simple yet powerful technique that is used for full-field imaging of blood flow.  The technique analyzes ...

how-to-build-laser-speckle-contrast-imaging-lsci-system-to-monitor

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

How to Build a Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) System to Monitor Blood Flow

23.4K Views.  University of Texas at Austin. Questo video mostra come costruire un laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI), sistema che può facilmente essere utilizzato per monitorare il flusso di sangue.

Video: How to Build a Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging LSCI System to Monitor Blood Flow

Cerebral Blood Oxygenation Measurement Based on Oxygen-dependent Quenching of Phosphorescence

Monitoring of the spatiotemporal characteristics of cerebral blood and tissue oxygenation is crucial for better understanding of the 
neuro-metabolic-vascular relationship. Development of new pO2 measurement modalities with simultaneous monitoring of pO2 in larger fields of view with higher 
spatial and/or temporal resolution will enable greater insight into the functioning of the normal brain and will also have significant impact on diagnosis 
and treatment of neurovascular diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and head injury.
Optical imaging modalities have shown a great potential to provide high spatiotemporal resolution and quantitative imaging of pO2 based on hemoglobin absorption in visible and near infrared range of optical spectrum. However, multispectral measurement of cerebral blood oxygenation relies on photon migration through the highly scattering brain tissue. Estimation and modeling of tissue optical parameters, which may undergo dynamic changes during the experiment, is typically required for accurate estimation of blood oxygenation. On the other hand, estimation of the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) based on oxygen-dependent quenching of phosphorescence should not be significantly affected by the changes in the optical parameters of the tissue and provides an absolute measure of pO2. Experimental systems that utilize oxygen-sensitive dyes have been demonstrated in in vivo studies of the perfused tissue as well as for monitoring the oxygen content in tissue cultures, showing that phosphorescence quenching is a potent technology capable of accurate oxygen imaging in the physiological pO2 range. 
Here we demonstrate with two different imaging modalities how to perform measurement of pO2 in cortical vasculature based on phosphorescence lifetime imaging. In first demonstration we present wide field of view imaging of pO2 at the cortical surface of a rat. This imaging modality has relatively simple experimental setup based on a CCD camera and a pulsed green laser. An example of monitoring the cortical spreading depression based on phosphorescence lifetime of Oxyphor R3 dye was presented. In second demonstration we present a high resolution two-photon pO2 imaging in cortical micro vasculature of a mouse. The experimental setup includes a custom built 2-photon microscope with femtosecond laser, electro-optic modulator, and photon-counting photo multiplier tube. We present an example of imaging the pO2 heterogeneity in the cortical microvasculature including capillaries, using a novel PtP-C343 dye with enhanced 2-photon excitation cross section.
Click here to view the related article <a href="http://www.jove.com/Details.php?ID=1731">Synthesis and Calibration of Phosphorescent Nanoprobes for Oxygen Imaging in Biological Systems.</a>

We present an experimental procedure for measuring the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) in cerebral vasculature based on oxygen-dependent quenching of phosphorescence. Animal preparation and imaging procedures were outlined for both large field of view CCD-based imaging of pO2 in rats and 2-photon excitation based imaging of pO2 in mice.

Ossigenazione cerebrale misura Sangue Sulla base di ossigeno-dipendente tempra di fosforescenza

Monitoring of the spatiotemporal characteristics of cerebral blood and tissue oxygenation is crucial for better understanding of the 
...

Ricerca

Neuroscienze

How to Create and Use Binocular Rivalry

Each of our eyes normally sees a slightly different image of the world around us. The brain can combine these two images into a single coherent representation. However, when the eyes are presented with images that are sufficiently different from each other, an interesting thing happens: Rather than fusing the two images into a combined conscious percept, what transpires is a pattern of perceptual alternations where one image dominates awareness while the other is suppressed; dominance alternates between the two images, typically every few seconds. This perceptual phenomenon is known as binocular rivalry. Binocular rivalry is considered useful for studying perceptual selection and awareness in both human and animal models, because unchanging visual input to each eye leads to alternations in visual awareness and perception. To create a binocular rivalry stimulus, all that is necessary is to present each eye with a different image at the same perceived location. There are several ways of doing this, but newcomers to the field are often unsure which method would best suit their specific needs. The purpose of this article is to describe a number of inexpensive and straightforward ways to create and use binocular rivalry. We detail methods that do not require expensive specialized equipment and describe each method's advantages and disadvantages. The methods described include the use of red-blue goggles, mirror stereoscopes and prism goggles.

Binocular rivalry occurs when the eyes are presented with different images at the same location: one image dominates while the other is suppressed, and dominance alternates periodically. Rivalry is useful for investigating perceptual selection and visual awareness. Here we describe several easy methods for creating and using binocular rivalry stimuli.

Come creare e utilizzare rivalità binoculare

Each of our eyes normally sees a slightly different image of the world around us. The brain can combine these two images into a single coherent ...

Autologous Blood Injection to Model Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Mice

Investigation of the pathophysiology of injury after intracerebral
hemorrhage (ICH) requires a reproducible animal model. While ICH
accounts for 10-15% of all strokes, there remains no specific
effective therapy. The autologous blood injection model in mice
involves the stereotaxic injection of arterial blood into the basal
ganglia mimicking a spontaneous hypertensive hemorrhage in man. The
response to hemorrhage can then be studied in vivo and the
neurobehavioral deficits quantified, allowing for description of the
ensuing pathology and the testing of potential therapeutic agents. The
procedure described in this protocol uses the double injection
technique to minimize risk of blood reflux up the needle track, no
anticoagulants in the pumping system, and eliminates all dead space
and expandable tubing in the system.

The autologous blood injection model of intracerebral hemorrhage in mice described in this protocol uses the double injection technique to minimize risk of blood reflux up the needle track, no anticoagulants in the pumping system, and eliminates all dead space and expandable tubing in the system.

Iniezione di sangue autologo Modello spontanea emorragia intracerebrale in topi

Investigation of the pathophysiology of injury after intracerebral
hemorrhage (ICH) requires a reproducible animal model.  While ICH
accounts for 10-15% ...

In vivo Imaging of Optic Nerve Fiber Integrity by Contrast-Enhanced MRI in Mice

The rodent visual system encompasses retinal ganglion cells and their axons that form the optic nerve to enter thalamic and midbrain centers, and postsynaptic projections to the visual cortex. Based on its distinct anatomical structure and convenient accessibility, it has become the favored structure for studies on neuronal survival, axonal regeneration, and synaptic plasticity. Recent advancements in MR imaging have enabled the in vivo visualization of the retino-tectal part of this projection using manganese mediated contrast enhancement (MEMRI). Here, we present a MEMRI protocol for illustration of the visual projection in mice, by which resolutions of (200 &#181;m)3 can be achieved using common 3 Tesla scanners. We demonstrate how intravitreal injection of a single dosage of 15 nmol MnCl2 leads to a saturated enhancement of the intact projection within 24 hr. With exception of the retina, changes in signal intensity are independent of coincided visual stimulation or physiological aging. We further apply this technique to longitudinally monitor axonal degeneration in response to acute optic nerve injury, a paradigm by which Mn2+ transport completely arrests at the lesion site. Conversely, active Mn2+ transport is quantitatively proportionate to the viability, number, and electrical activity of axon fibers. For such an analysis, we exemplify Mn2+ transport kinetics along the visual path in a transgenic mouse model (NF-&#954;B p50KO) displaying spontaneous atrophy of sensory, including visual, projections. In these mice, MEMRI indicates reduced but not delayed Mn2+ transport as compared to wild type mice, thus revealing signs of structural and/or functional impairments by NF-&#954;B mutations.
In summary, MEMRI conveniently bridges in vivo assays and post mortem histology for the characterization of nerve fiber integrity and activity. It is highly useful for longitudinal studies on axonal degeneration and regeneration, and investigations of mutant mice for genuine or inducible phenotypes.

In vivo Imaging of Optic Nerve Fiber Integrity by Contrast-Enhanced MRI in Mice

This video illustrates a method, using a clinical 3 T scanner, for contrast-enhanced MR imaging of the na&#239;ve mouse visual projection and for repetitive and longitudinal in vivo studies of optic nerve degeneration associated with acute optic nerve crush injury and chronic optic nerve degeneration in knock-out mice (p50KO).

In vivo imaging di Optic Nerve Fiber Integrity by MRI Contrast-Enhanced nei topi

The rodent visual system encompasses retinal ganglion cells and their axons that form the optic nerve to enter thalamic and midbrain centers, and ...

Use of a Caspase Multiplexing Assay to Determine Apoptosis in a Hypothalamic Cell Model

The ability to multiplex assays in studies of complex cellular mechanisms eliminates the need for repetitive experiments, provides internal controls, and decreases waste in costs and reagents. Here we describe optimization of a multiplex assay to assess apoptosis following a palmitic acid (PA) challenge in an in vitro hypothalamic model, using both fluorescent and luminescent based assays to measure viable cell counts and caspase-3/7 activity in a 96-well microtiter plate format. Following PA challenge, viable cells were determined by a resazurin-based fluorescent assay. Caspase-3/7 activity was then determined using a luminogenic substrate, DEVD, and normalized to cell number. This multiplexing assay is a useful technique for determining change in caspase activity following an apoptotic stimulus, such as saturated fatty acid challenge. The saturated fatty acid PA can increase hypothalamic oxidative stress and apoptosis, indicating the potential importance of assays such as that described here in studying the relationship between saturated fatty acids and neuronal function.

Multiplex assays can provide beneficial information for basic cellular mechanisms&#160;and eliminate waste of reagents and unnecessary repetitive experiments. We describe here a multiplex caspase-3/7 activity assay, using fluorescent- and luminescent-based methods, to determine cell viability in an in vitro hypothalamic model following oxidative challenge with palmitic acid.

L&#39;uso di una caspasi Multiplexing test per determinare apoptosi in un modello cellulare ipotalamica

The ability to multiplex assays in studies of complex cellular mechanisms eliminates the need for repetitive experiments, provides internal controls, and ...

Live Imaging of Drosophila Larval Neuroblasts

Stem cells divide asymmetrically to generate two progeny cells with unequal fate potential: a self-renewing stem cell and a differentiating cell. Given their relevance to development and disease, understanding the mechanisms that govern asymmetric stem cell division has been a robust area of study. Because they are genetically tractable and undergo successive rounds of cell division about once every hour, the stem cells of the Drosophila central nervous system, or neuroblasts, are indispensable models for the study of stem cell division. About 100 neural stem cells are located near the surface of each of the two larval brain lobes, making this model system particularly useful for live imaging microscopy studies. In this work, we review several approaches widely used to visualize stem cell divisions, and we address the relative advantages and disadvantages of those techniques that employ dissociated versus intact brain tissues. We also detail our simplified protocol used to explant whole brains from third instar larvae for live cell imaging and fixed analysis applications.

Live Imaging of Drosophila Larval Neuroblasts

This protocol details a streamlined method used to conduct live cell imaging in the context of an intact larval brain. Live cell imaging approaches are invaluable for the study of asymmetric neural stem cell divisions as well as other neurogenic and developmental processes, consistently uncovering mechanisms that were previously overlooked.

Immagini dal vivo di<em&gt; Drosophila</em&gt; larvali neuroblasti

Stem cells divide asymmetrically to generate two progeny cells with unequal fate potential: a self-renewing stem cell and a differentiating cell. Given ...

Microglia as a Surrogate Biosensor to Determine Nanoparticle Neurotoxicity

Nanoparticles found in air pollutants can alter neurotransmitter profiles, increase neuroinflammation, and alter brain function. Therefore, the assay described here will aid in elucidating the role of microglia in neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. The use of microglia, resident immune cells of the brain, as a surrogate biosensor provides novel insight into how inflammatory responses mediate neuronal insults. Here, we utilize an immortalized murine microglial cell line, designated BV2, and describe a method for nanoparticle exposure using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a standard. We describe how to expose microglia to nanoparticles, how to remove nanoparticles from supernatant, and how to use supernatant from activated microglia to determine toxicity, using hypothalamic cell survival as a measure. Following AgNP exposure, BV2 microglial activation was validated using a tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-&#945;) enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The supernatant was filtered to remove the AgNP and to allow cytokines and other secreted factors to remain in the conditioned media. Hypothalamic cells were then exposed to supernatant from AgNP activated microglia and survival of neurons was determined using a resazurin-based fluorescent assay. This technique is useful for utilizing microglia as a surrogate biomarker of neuroinflammation and determining the effect of neuroinflammation on other cell types.

Microglia (immune cells of the brain), are used as a surrogate biosensor to determine how nanoparticles influence neurotoxicity. We describe a series of experiments designed to assay microglial response to nanoparticles and exposure of hypothalamic neurons to supernatant from activated microglia to determine neurotoxicity.

Microglia come un biosensore surrogato per determinare nanoparticelle neurotossicità

Nanoparticles found in air pollutants can alter neurotransmitter profiles, increase neuroinflammation, and alter brain function. Therefore, the assay ...

Live Imaging Followed by Single Cell Tracking to Monitor Cell Biology and the Lineage Progression of Multiple Neural Populations

Understanding the mechanisms that control critical biological events of neural cell populations, such as proliferation, differentiation, or cell fate decisions, will be crucial to design therapeutic strategies for many diseases affecting the nervous system. Current methods to track cell populations rely on their final outcomes in still images and they generally fail to provide sufficient temporal resolution to identify behavioral features in single cells. Moreover, variations in cell death, behavioral heterogeneity within a cell population, dilution, spreading, or the low efficiency of the markers used to analyze cells are all important handicaps that will lead to incomplete or incorrect read-outs of the results. Conversely, performing live imaging and single cell tracking under appropriate conditions represents a powerful tool to monitor each of these events. Here, a time-lapse video-microscopy protocol, followed by post-processing, is described to track neural populations with single cell resolution, employing specific software. The methods described enable researchers to address essential questions regarding the cell biology and lineage progression of distinct neural populations.

A robust protocol to monitor neural populations by time-lapse video-microscopy followed by software-based post-processing is described. This method represents a powerful tool to identify biological events in a selected population during live imaging experiments.

Seguita dalla singola cellula di rilevamento a Monitor biologia cellulare e la progressione di lignaggio di popolazioni neurali Multiple immagini dal vivo

Understanding the mechanisms that control critical biological events of neural cell populations, such as proliferation, differentiation, or cell fate ...

How to Obtain Reliable Visual Event-related Potentials in Newborns

The present study discusses the characteristics of visual event-related potentials (VEPs) and outlines methodological steps for obtaining reliable measurements in newborns. Obtaining high-quality, reliable VEPs is crucial for the early detection of abnormal development of the central nervous system in at-risk newborns, and for implementing successful early interventions. Recommendations are based on a previous study which showed that when post-conceptional age, polysomnography-identified sleep stages, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) googles as the luminous source are controlled, no more than 4 repetitions of VEP averages are required to obtain replicable recordings, variability decreases, and reliable VEPs can be obtained. By controlling for these sources of variability and using statistical analyses, we were able to clearly and reliably identify the amplitude and latency of three main components (NII, PII and NIII) present in 100% of newborns (n = 20) during active sleep. Recording VEPs during awake states, quiet sleep and transitional sleep is not recommended because VEP morphology may differ significantly from one average to the next, leading to the risk of misleading clinical prognoses. Moreover, it is easier to obtain VEPs during active sleep because this state can be clearly and reliably identified at this stage of development, sleep cycles are short enough to allow measurements to be taken in a reasonable time, and the method does not require new o expensive equipment.

Several important points for obtaining high-quality reliable visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in newborns while minimizing variability and the risk of misleading prognoses are presented.

Come ottenere potenziali visivi affidabili legati agli eventi visivi nei neonati

The present study discusses the characteristics of visual event-related potentials (VEPs) and outlines methodological steps for obtaining reliable ...

A High-Throughput Image-Guided Stereotactic Neuronavigation and Focused Ultrasound System for Blood-Brain Barrier Opening in Rodents

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been a major hurdle for the treatment of various brain diseases. Endothelial cells, connected by tight junctions, form a physiological barrier preventing large molecules (&#62;500 Da) from entering the brain tissue. Microbubble-mediated focused ultrasound (FUS) can be used to induce a transient local BBB opening, allowing larger drugs to enter the brain parenchyma.
In addition to large-scale clinical devices for clinical translation, preclinical research for therapy response assessment of drug candidates requires dedicated small animal ultrasound setups for targeted BBB opening. Preferably, these systems allow high-throughput workflows with both high-spatial precision as well as integrated cavitation monitoring, while still being cost effective in both initial investment and running costs.
Here, we present a bioluminescence and X-ray guided stereotactic small animal FUS system that is based on commercially available components and fulfills the aforementioned requirements. A particular emphasis has been placed on a high degree of automation facilitating the challenges typically encountered in high-volume preclinical drug evaluation studies. Examples of these challenges are the need for standardization in order to ensure data reproducibility, reduce intra-group variability, reduce sample size and thus comply with ethical requirements and decrease unnecessary workload. The proposed BBB system has been validated in the scope of BBB opening facilitated drug delivery trials on patient-derived xenograft models of glioblastoma multiforme and diffuse midline glioma.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) can be temporarily disrupted with microbubble-mediated focused ultrasound (FUS). Here, we describe a step-by-step protocol for high-throughput BBB opening in vivo using a modular FUS system accessible for non-ultrasound experts.

Un neuronavigation stereotattico guidato da immagini ad alta produttività e un sistema ad ultrasuoni focalizzati per l'apertura della barriera ematico-encefalica nei roditori

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been a major hurdle for the treatment of various brain diseases. Endothelial cells, connected by tight junctions, form a ...