This work was supported by the Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, and National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan. The Machine Shop at the Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica helped to fabricate custom-designed parts. We also want to thank P. Argast (Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland) for the design of the quick-lock mechanism of the head stage.

All animal procedures were approved and carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Academia Sinica. Details of the research tools can be found in the Table of Materials.
1. Preparation of recording chamber
<ol>
	<li>Prepare a semi-hexagonal tank, a base plate, and a head stage (Figure 1A; Supplementary Files 1-3). The head stage consists of two metal posts attached to a circular plate. The circular plate contains grooves that can be locked onto the base plate. After being locked together, the head stage and the base plate are laid at the bottom of the semi-hexagonal tank.</li>
	<li>Place the semi-hexagonal tank on the experimental platform of the microscope. The platform should be able to move in the X and Y directions without hitting the limit of the translation stage.</li>
	<li>Aim the 810 nm infrared (IR) light and the camera to the head stage for behavioral recording. Ensure that the field of view of the camera is large enough to fit an adult zebrafish.
	<ol>
		<li>To prevent the two-photon laser and the visual stimulus from interfering with behavioral recording, set up an 875 nm short-pass filter and a 700 nm long-pass filter in front of the camera, respectively.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>To present the visual stimulus, attach back-projection films to the inner side of the three walls of the semi-hexagonal tank (Figure 1A).</li>
	<li>Aim the three projectors at the three surfaces of the tank. The three images should be aligned to form a continuous visual scene. To prevent projector lights from contaminating the calcium fluorescence signal, place a neutral density filter and a red color filter (600 nm, long-pass) in front of each projector, and place a band-pass filter (510/80 nm) in front of the photomultiplier tube (PMT).</li>
</ol>
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/65526/65526fig1v8.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Instruments required for head restraint surgery. (A) The quick-lock mechanism between the circular plate of the head stage and the base plate inside the semi-hexagonal tank. Computer-aided design (CAD) files of the custom-made parts can be found in Supplementary Files 1-4. (B) &#937;-shaped head bar for the head restraint. (C) The three-axis micromanipulator used to position the head bar to the attachment site. Inset: orientation of the head bar in the clay. (D) Cannon to hold the fish during surgery. Inset: orientation of fish within the cannon. (E) Fish loading module and the micromanipulator used to load the fish onto the head stage. Inset: orientation of fish within the module. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/65526/65526fig1v8large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
2. Head restraint surgery
<ol>
	<li>Prepare an &#937;-shaped head bar (Figure 1B; Supplementary File 4) for the zebrafish head restraint. To do this, attach a piece of oil-based modeling clay to a three-axis micromanipulator. Ensure that the clay is solid enough to hold the head bar, but soft enough to detach from the head bar after head restraint.</li>
	<li>Insert an arm of the head bar into the clay and orient the head bar horizontally (Figure 1C). This will ensure that the later attachment of the head bar onto the zebrafish will be level. 
	NOTE: The head bar can be made of titanium (24 mg) or stainless steel (43 mg) and can be reused for multiple experiments. The head bar material does not affect the behavior of adult zebrafish (weight ranges from 300-1,000 mg) under a head restraint.</li>
	<li>Prepare the cannon, a hollow tube for holding the fish body in place during surgery (Figure 1D).</li>
	<li>Prepare 0.03% and 0.01% tricaine methanesulfonate (TMS; see Table of Materials) in fish tank water. This will be used to anesthetize and maintain the fish in a sedated state during surgery.</li>
	<li>Prepare four tissue swabs to remove excess skin and water from the attachment sites on the skull. To prepare each swab, cut a paper towel into a 3 cm square and fold along its diagonal to produce a tube-like structure. Twist the ends of the tube into a fine point. The attachment site is very small, so a fine point allows finer control of the swab.</li>
	<li>Prepare a fish loading module for the micromanipulator (Figure 1E). 
	NOTE: The module consists of two steel posts held together by a right-angle post clamp. One post attaches to the micromanipulator, while the other post holds a rotating post clamp that carries the fish. The module is used to position the fish onto the head stage with fine control. The rotating post clamp serves as a pitch adjuster to change the pitch angle of the fish.</li>
	<li>Anesthetize the fish with 0.03% TMS in fish tank water. Throughout the following steps, use a syringe to deliver 0.01% TMS in fish tank water to the mouth in short pulses every 90 s. Water flow from the perfusion should induce gill movement. This will allow the fish to survive for more than 40 min during surgery. 
	NOTE: Tg[neuroD:GCaMP6f] is used due to its broad expression of the calcium indicator in the forebrain at both the larval and adult stages10. 
	NOTE:&#160;Optionally, use gravity perfusion to provide constant water flow to the mouth during periods in surgery where both hands are occupied.</li>
	<li>Wrap the fish into a capsule (Figure 2A) that holds the fish inside the cannon.
	<ol>
		<li>Wrap the anesthetized fish in a piece of moist paper tissue starting from the tip of the tail to around 1 mm caudal to the gill. Ensure that the wrapping is tight to prevent sliding of the fish out of the tissue.</li>
		<li>Wrap a soft plastic tubing with a longitudinal slit (e.g., a medium-sized heat-shrink tubing cut open) around the paper tissue to cover the fish from the end of the tail to around 2 mm caudal to the gill. The tubing ensures that the fish&#39;s body remains straight throughout the surgery.</li>
		<li>Wrap a paper towel around the tubing to a diameter that is roughly similar to the diameter of the cannon.</li>
		<li>Wrap a soft plastic tube cut from the bulb of a plastic transfer pipette around the paper towel. This ensures that the capsule can be loaded smoothly into the cannon.</li>
		<li>Load the fish into the cannon.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Use a scalpel to remove the skin covering the attachment sites, two triangular areas of the skull rostrolateral to the cerebellum and above the gills (Figure 2B), then remove the skin covering the region between the attachment sites. Use tissue swabs to dry out the attachment sites and clear out any remaining skin.
	<ol>
		<li>Use an adjustable platform to support the head during skin removal, but the platform must not contact the eyes to avoid eye injury during the operation. 
		NOTE: Thorough removal of the skin at the attachment sites is crucial in reducing motion artifacts during imaging.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Apply a drop of tissue glue (see Table of Materials) at the center of each attachment site using a 10 &#181;L pipette tip. 
	NOTE: Tissue glue covers the attachment sites and dries out quickly. The tissue glue provides a bonding interface between the skull and the dental cement used to glue the head bar, and prevents water from the gills from reaching the attachment site.</li>
	<li>Put the fish body in an upright position and position the head bar slightly above and caudal to the attachment sites in preparation for head bar gluing.</li>
	<li>Prepare dental cement (see Table of Materials) and use it immediately to glue the head bar to the skull (Figure 2C). The procedure is time sensitive and must be done within 45 s.
	<ol>
		<li>Mix one small spoon of polymer with four drops of quick monomer and one drop of catalyst V. Stir the mixture evenly for 15 s.</li>
		<li>Use a micropipette and a 10 &#181;L pipette tip to apply the mixture onto the attachment sites and the region between the sites. Avoid covering the gills and the eyes.</li>
		<li>Gently press the head bar onto the cement using the micromanipulator. Cover the head bar with the remaining cement.</li>
		<li>Wait for 12 min to allow curing of the dental cement. Avoid water contact with the cement.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>To improve optical access to the forebrain for calcium imaging, remove the skin above the telencephalon. Skin removal can be done in 3 min with five cuts using a scalpel (Figure 2D). Make sure that lipid droplets adhering to the surface of the skulls are removed.</li>
	<li>After curing, remove the clay from the head bar.</li>
	<li>Transfer the entire capsule from the cannon to the pitch adjuster in the fish loading module of the micromanipulator.</li>
	<li>Use the micromanipulator to position the fish. The head bar should be positioned on top of the metal posts of the head stage. Slightly increase the pitch angle of the fish so that the surface of the forebrain can be better aligned to the optical plane during two-photon imaging.</li>
	<li>Glue the head bar to the metal posts with ultraviolet (UV)-curable glue. A 15 s UV exposure is sufficient for curing.</li>
	<li>Pull out the fish from the capsule and lock the head stage onto the base plate within the semi-hexagonal tank.</li>
	<li>Immerse the animal in fish tank water. The fish should start breathing and recover from anesthesia within 1-2 min. 
	NOTE: Optionally, use syringe perfusion to deliver fresh water to the mouth.</li>
</ol>
<img alt="Figure 2" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/65526/65526fig02.jpg" /> 
 
Figure 2: Key steps during head restraint surgery. (A) Composition of the capsule inside the cannon. (B) Attachment sites on the skull (red). Red arrows specify blood vessel sites. (C) Top: head bar attached to the fish skull. Bottom: fish loaded onto the head stage. (D) Cuts needed to remove the skin above the forebrain. Numbers denote the cutting sequence. Avoid skin removal at the marked site (arrowhead) to prevent bleeding of the animal. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/65526/65526fig02large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
3. Two-photon imaging
<ol>
	<li>Turn on the laser and wait for 30 min for the power to stabilize. Set the wavelength to 920 nm and power to around 50 mW at the sample. 
	NOTE: The laser beam controlled by the resonant scanner moves slowly at the turnaround points of the scan path. To prevent tissue damage, a Pockels cell is used to reduce laser power at the turnaround points.</li>
	<li>Place the recording chamber containing the head-restrained zebrafish on the experimental platform (Figure 3A). The platform should be able to move in the X and Y directions without hitting the limit of the translation stage.</li>
	<li>Place the objective lens as close as possible to the forebrain surface. The objective lens should be aimed at the front edge of the pupil (Figure 3B).</li>
	<li>Open the laser shutter and enable the PMT. Gradually elevate the objective lens (~1 mm) until the dorsal forebrain is revealed in the fluorescence image (Figure 3C).</li>
	<li>To increase the number of neurons recorded, use a piezo actuator to acquire images at multiple depths (six image planes, 15 &#181;m apart). This will increase the data yield at the expense of the frame rate. Enable fast Z-axis scanning to control the piezo actuator (uniform mode, number of slices = 6, step size = 15 &#181;m, waveform = sawtooth, flyback time = 4 ms, actuator lag = 8 ms).</li>
	<li>For behavior recording, turn on the 810 nm infrared (IR) lights on both sides of the tank. Adjust the angle to illuminate the entire body, which should be clearly visible in the camera.</li>
	<li>Turn on the projectors.</li>
	<li>Start recording data.</li>
</ol>
<img alt="Figure 3" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/65526/65526fig3v2.jpg" /> 
Figure 3: Setup to perform calcium imaging, behavior recording, and visual stimulus display. (A) Three projectors present a visual stimulus onto the walls of the semi-hexagonal tank. IR lights on the side are used to illuminate the body of the zebrafish. (B) Positioning of the objective lens. Left: front view. Right: side view. The distance between the 16x objective lens and the targeted brain region is around 2.5 mm. (C) Example two-photon image. Left: maximum projection of the entire dorsal forebrain in Tg[neuroD:GCaMP6f]. Right: zoomed-in image to reveal neurons across multiple brain regions. Inset: a higher magnification from a different brain region. Images are averages of 10 s of data recorded at 5Hz. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/65526/65526fig03large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

Behavior Tracking and Neural Activity Pattern in the Zebrafish Forebrain

<ol>
	<li>Grienberger, C., Konnerth, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Imaging+calcium+in+neurons.">Imaging calcium in neurons.</a> Neuron. 73 (5), 862-885 (2012).</li><li>Chow, D. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Deep+three-photon+imaging+of+the+brain+in+intact+adult+zebrafish.">Deep three-photon imaging of the brain in intact adult zebrafish.</a> Nature Methods. 17 (6), 605-608 (2020).</li><li>Mittmann, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two-photon+calcium+imaging+of+evoked+activity+from+L5+somatosensory+neurons+in+vivo.">Two-photon calcium imaging of evoked activity from L5 somatosensory neurons in vivo.</a> Nature Neuroscience. 14 (8), 1089-1093 (2011).</li><li>Friedrich, R. W., Jacobson, G. A., Zhu, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Circuit+neuroscience+in+zebrafish.">Circuit neuroscience in zebrafish.</a> Current Biology. 20 (8), R371-R381 (2010).</li><li>Kappel, J. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Visual+recognition+of+social+signals+by+a+tectothalamic+neural+circuit.">Visual recognition of social signals by a tectothalamic neural circuit.</a> Nature. 608 (7921), 146-152 (2022).</li><li>Bartoszek, E. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ongoing+habenular+activity+is+driven+by+forebrain+networks+and+modulated+by+olfactory+stimuli.">Ongoing habenular activity is driven by forebrain networks and modulated by olfactory stimuli.</a> Current Biology. 31 (17), 3861-3874 (2021).</li><li>Valente, A., Huang, K. H., Portugues, R., Engert, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ontogeny+of+classical+and+operant+learning+behaviors+in+zebrafish.">Ontogeny of classical and operant learning behaviors in zebrafish.</a> Learning &amp; Memory. 19 (4), 170-177 (2012).</li><li>Buske, C., Gerlai, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Maturation+of+shoaling+behavior+is+accompanied+by+changes+in+the+dopaminergic+and+serotoninergic+systems+in+zebrafish.">Maturation of shoaling behavior is accompanied by changes in the dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems in zebrafish.</a> Developmental Psychobiology. 54 (1), 28-35 (2012).</li><li>Huang, K. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+virtual+reality+system+to+analyze+neural+activity+and+behavior+in+adult+zebrafish.">A virtual reality system to analyze neural activity and behavior in adult zebrafish.</a> Nature Methods. 17 (3), 343-351 (2020).</li><li>Rupprecht, P., Prendergast, A., Wyart, C., Friedrich, R. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Remote+z-scanning+with+a+macroscopic+voice+coil+motor+for+fast+3D+multiphoton+laser+scanning+microscopy.">Remote z-scanning with a macroscopic voice coil motor for fast 3D multiphoton laser scanning microscopy.</a> Biomedical Optics Express. 7 (5), 1656-1671 (2016).</li><li>Papadopoulos, I. N., Jouhanneau, J. -. S., Poulet, J. F. A., Judkewitz, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Scattering+compensation+by+focus+scanning+holographic+aberration+probing+(F-SHARP).">Scattering compensation by focus scanning holographic aberration probing (F-SHARP).</a> Nature Photonics. 11 (2), 116-123 (2017).</li><li>Torigoe, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Zebrafish+capable+of+generating+future+state+prediction+error+show+improved+active+avoidance+behavior+in+virtual+reality.">Zebrafish capable of generating future state prediction error show improved active avoidance behavior in virtual reality.</a> Nature Communications. 12 (1), 5712 (2021).</li></ol>

The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

Here, we describe a detailed protocol to restrain the head of adult zebrafish for two-photon calcium imaging. There are two critical steps to achieve a head restraint that is stable enough for laser scanning imaging. First, the head bar has to be glued to the specific attachment sites of the skulls. Other parts of the skull&#160;are often too thin to provide mechanical stability and may even be fractured during strong body movements. Second, the skin above the attachment sites has to be thoroughly removed. Residual water...

Calcium fluorescence imaging with genetically encoded indicators or synthetic dyes has been a powerful method of measuring neuronal activity in behaving animals, including non-human primates, rodents, birds, and insects1. The activity of hundreds of cells, up to approximately 800 &#181;m below the brain surface, can be measured simultaneously using multi-photon imaging2,3. The activity of specific cell types can also be measured by expressing calcium indicators in genetically defined neuronal populations. Application of the imaging method for small vertebrate models opens up new possibilities in the field of neuronal computation across brain regions.
Zebrafish are a widely used model system in neuroscience research. Larval zebrafish at around 6 days post-fertilization have been used for calcium imaging due to their miniature brain and transparent body4. Juvenile zebrafish (3-4 weeks old) are also used for studying the neural mechanisms underlying sensorimotor pathways5,6. However, the maximal performance level for complex behaviors, including associative learning and social behaviors, is reached at an older age7,8. Thus, a reliable protocol is required to study multiple cognitive functions in the brains of adult zebrafish using imaging methods. While zebrafish larva and juvenile zebrafish can be embedded in agarose for in vivo imaging, adult zebrafish at 2 months or older suffer from hypoxia in such conditions and are physically too strong to be restrained by agarose. Therefore, a surgical procedure is required to stabilize the brain and enable the animal to breathe freely through the gills. 
Here, we describe a head restraint protocol that involves a novel design of a single head bar. The reduced surgery time of 25 min is twice as fast as the previous method9. We also describe the design of the recording chamber (semi-hexagonal tank), the head stage and a quick-lock mechanism to combine the two parts9. Finally, the setup to present an immersive visual stimulus to study visually triggered brain activity and behaviors is also described. Overall, the procedures described here can be used to perform two-photon calcium imaging in genetically defined cell populations in a head-restrained adult zebrafish, enabling the investigation of brain activities during various behavioral paradigms.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Acquisition card</td>
			<td>MBF Bioscience</td>
			<td>Vidrio vDAQ</td>
			<td>Microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Back-projection film</td>
			<td>Kimoto</td>
			<td>Diland screen - GSK</td>
			<td>present visual stimulus</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Band-pass filter (510/80 nm)</td>
			<td>Chroma</td>
			<td>ET510/80m</td>
			<td>Microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Base plate for the semi-hexagonal tank</td>
			<td>custom made</td>
			<td>see supplemental files</td>
			<td>recording chamber</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Camera filter (&#60;875 nm)</td>
			<td>Edmund optics</td>
			<td>#86-106</td>
			<td>Behavior recording</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Camera filter (&#62;700 nm)</td>
			<td>Edmund optics</td>
			<td>#43-949</td>
			<td>Behavior recording</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Camera lens</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>MVL50M23</td>
			<td>Behavior recording</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chameleon Vision-S</td>
			<td>Coherent</td>
			<td>Vision-S</td>
			<td>Laser</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Circular plate for the head stage</td>
			<td>custom made</td>
			<td>see supplemental files</td>
			<td>recording chamber</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Controller for piezo actuator</td>
			<td>Physik Instrumente&#160;</td>
			<td>E-665. CR</td>
			<td>Microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Current amplifier</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>TIA60</td>
			<td>Microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Elitedent Q-6</td>
			<td>Rolence Enterprise</td>
			<td>Q-6</td>
			<td>Surgery: UV lamp</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Emission Filter 510/80 nm</td>
			<td>Chroma</td>
			<td>ET510/80m</td>
			<td>Microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Head bar</td>
			<td>custom made</td>
			<td>see supplemental files</td>
			<td>recording chamber</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Infrared light</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>M810L3</td>
			<td>Behavior recording</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LED projector</td>
			<td>AAXA</td>
			<td>P2B LED Pico Projector</td>
			<td>present visual stimulus</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Moist paper tissue (Kimwipe)</td>
			<td>Kimtech Science</td>
			<td>34155</td>
			<td>Surgery: moist paper tissue</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Motorized XY sample stage</td>
			<td>Zaber</td>
			<td>X-LRM050</td>
			<td>Microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Neutral Density Filters (50% Transmission)</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>NE203B</td>
			<td>present visual stimulus</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&#216;1/2&#34; Post Holder</td>
			<td>ThorLabs</td>
			<td>PH1.5V</td>
			<td>Surgery: hollow tube for cannon</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&#216;1/2&#34; Stainless Steel Optical Post</td>
			<td>ThorLabs</td>
			<td>TR150/M</td>
			<td>Surgery: fish loading module</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Objective lens 16x, 0.8NA</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td>CF175</td>
			<td>Microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Oil-based modeling clay</td>
			<td>Ly Hsin Clay</td>
			<td>C4086</td>
			<td>Surgery: head bar holder</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Optical adhesive</td>
			<td>Norland Products</td>
			<td>NOA68</td>
			<td>Surgery: UV curable glue</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Photomultiplier tube</td>
			<td>Hamamatsu</td>
			<td>H11706P-40</td>
			<td>Microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Piezo actuator</td>
			<td>Physik Instrumente&#160;</td>
			<td>P-725.4CA PIFOC</td>
			<td>Microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pockels Cell</td>
			<td>Conoptics</td>
			<td>M350-80-LA-BK-02</td>
			<td>Microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Red Wratten filter (&#62; 600 nm)</td>
			<td>Edmund optics</td>
			<td>#53-699</td>
			<td>present visual stimulus</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Resonant-Galvo Scan System</td>
			<td>INSS</td>
			<td>RGE-02</td>
			<td>Microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Right-Angle Clamp for &#216;1/2&#34; Post</td>
			<td>ThorLabs</td>
			<td>RA90/M</td>
			<td>Surgery: fish loading module</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rotating Clamp for &#216;1/2&#34; Post</td>
			<td>ThorLabs</td>
			<td>SWC/M</td>
			<td>Surgery: fish loading module</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ScanImage</td>
			<td>MBF Bioscience</td>
			<td>Basic version</td>
			<td>Microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Semi-hexagonal tank</td>
			<td>custom made</td>
			<td>see supplemental files</td>
			<td>recording chamber</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Super-Bond C&#38;B Kit</td>
			<td>Sun Medical Co.</td>
			<td>Super-Bond C&#38;B</td>
			<td>Surgery: dental cement</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tricaine methanesulfonate</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>E10521</td>
			<td>Surgery: anesthetic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>USB Camera</td>
			<td>FLIR</td>
			<td>BFS-U3-13Y3M-C</td>
			<td>Behavior recording</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vetbond</td>
			<td>3M</td>
			<td>1469SB</td>
			<td>Surgery: tissue glue</td>
		</tr>
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two-photon calcium imaging of forebrain activity in behaving adult zebrafish

Adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) exhibit a rich repertoire of behaviors for studying cognitive functions. They also have a miniature brain that can be used for measuring activities across brain regions through optical imaging methods. However, reports on the recording of brain activity in behaving adult zebrafish have been scarce. The present study describes procedures to perform two-photon calcium imaging in the dorsal forebrain of adult zebrafish. We focus on steps to restrain adult zebrafish from moving their heads, which provides stability that enables laser scanning imaging of the brain activity. The head-restrained animals can freely move their body parts and breathe without aids. The procedure aims to shorten the time of head restraint surgery, minimize brain motion, and maximize the number of neurons recorded. A setup for presenting an immersive visual environment during calcium imaging is also described here, which can be used to study neural correlates underlying visually triggered behaviors.

The protocol consists of two parts: head restraint surgery and two-photon calcium imaging of neuronal activities in the forebrain. The success of surgery is defined by the survival of the animal and the stability of the head restraint. The survival rate can be greatly improved by frequent perfusion of 0.01% TMS solution through the mouth during surgery. Fish should recover from anesthesia and breathe actively within 1-2 min after being immersed into fish tank water. Two-photon calcium imaging enables activity recording o...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Advancements in Adult Zebrafish Brain Research at JoVE.com

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Adult Zebrafish Brain Research 

Here, we present a protocol to perform two-photon calcium imaging in the dorsal forebrain of adult zebrafish.

Two-Photon Calcium Imaging of Forebrain Activity in Behaving Adult Zebrafish

Adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) exhibit a rich repertoire of behaviors for studying cognitive functions. They also have a miniature brain that can be used ...

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Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

2.1K Views.  Academia Sinica. Here, we present a protocol to perform two-photon calcium imaging in the dorsal forebrain of adult zebrafish.

Video: Author Spotlight: Advancements in Adult Zebrafish Brain Research 

Time-lapse Live Imaging of Clonally Related Neural Progenitor Cells in the Developing Zebrafish Forebrain

Precise patterns of division, migration and differentiation of neural progenitor cells are crucial for proper brain development and function1,2. To understand the behavior of neural progenitor cells in the complex in vivo environment, time-lapse live imaging of neural progenitor cells in an intact brain is critically required. In this video, we exploit the unique features of zebrafish embryos to visualize the development of forebrain neural progenitor cells in vivo. We use electroporation to genetically and sparsely label individual neural progenitor cells. Briefly, DNA constructs coding for fluorescent markers were injected into the forebrain ventricle of 22 hours post fertilization (hpf) zebrafish embryos and electric pulses were delivered immediately. Six hours later, the electroporated zebrafish embryos were mounted with low melting point agarose in glass bottom culture dishes. Fluorescently labeled neural progenitor cells were then imaged for 36hours with fixed intervals under a confocal microscope using water dipping objective lens. The present method provides a way to gain insights into the in vivo development of forebrain neural progenitor cells and can be applied to other parts of the central nervous system of the zebrafish embryo.

The present video demonstrates a method which takes advantage of the combination of electroporation and confocal microscopy to perform live imaging on individual neural progenitor cells in the developing zebrafish forebrain. In vivo analysis of the development of forebrain neural progenitor cells at a clonal level can be achieved in this way.

Precise patterns of division, migration and differentiation of neural progenitor cells are crucial for proper brain development and function1,2. To ...

Two-photon Calcium Imaging in Neuronal Dendrites in Brain Slices

Calcium (Ca2+) imaging is a powerful tool to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of intracellular Ca2+ signals in neuronal dendrites. Ca2+ fluctuations can occur through a variety of membrane and intracellular mechanisms and play a crucial role in the induction of synaptic plasticity and regulation of dendritic excitability. Hence, the ability to record different types of Ca2+ signals in dendritic branches is valuable for groups studying how dendrites integrate information. The advent of two-photon microscopy has made such studies significantly easier by solving the problems inherent to imaging in live tissue, such as light scattering and photodamage. Moreover, through combination of conventional electrophysiological techniques with two-photon Ca2+ imaging, it is possible to investigate local Ca2+ fluctuations in neuronal dendrites in parallel with recordings of synaptic activity in soma. Here, we describe how to use this method to study the dynamics of local Ca2+ transients (CaTs) in dendrites of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons. The method can be also applied to studying dendritic Ca2+ signaling in different neuronal types in acute brain slices.

We present a method combining whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and two-photon imaging to record Ca2+ transients in neuronal dendrites in acute brain slices.

Calcium (Ca2+) imaging is a powerful tool to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of intracellular Ca2+ signals in neuronal dendrites. Ca2+ ...

Ratiometric Calcium Imaging of Individual Neurons in Behaving Caenorhabditis Elegans

It has become increasingly clear that neural circuit activity in behaving animals differs substantially from that seen in anesthetized or immobilized animals. Highly sensitive, genetically encoded fluorescent reporters of Ca2+ have revolutionized the recording of cell and synaptic activity using non-invasive optical approaches in behaving animals. When combined with genetic and optogenetic techniques, the molecular mechanisms that modulate cell and circuit activity during different behavior states can be identified.
Here we describe methods for ratiometric Ca2+ imaging of single neurons in freely behaving Caenorhabditis elegans worms. We demonstrate a simple mounting technique that gently overlays worms growing on a standard Nematode Growth Media (NGM) agar block with a glass coverslip, permitting animals to be recorded at high-resolution during unrestricted movement and behavior. With this technique, we use the sensitive Ca2+ reporter GCaMP5 to record changes in intracellular Ca2+ in the serotonergic Hermaphrodite Specific Neurons (HSNs) as they drive egg-laying behavior. By co-expressing mCherry, a Ca2+-insensitive fluorescent protein, we can track the position of the HSN within ~ 1 &#181;m and correct for fluctuations in fluorescence caused by changes in focus or movement. Simultaneous, infrared brightfield imaging allows for behavior recording and animal tracking using a motorized stage. By integrating these microscopic techniques and data streams, we can record Ca2+ activity in the C. elegans egg-laying circuit as it progresses between inactive and active behavior states over tens of minutes.

Ratiometric Calcium Imaging of Individual Neurons in Behaving Caenorhabditis Elegans

This protocol describes the use of genetically encoded Ca2+ reporters to record changes in neural activity in behaving Caenorhabditis elegans worms. &#8195;

It has become increasingly clear that neural circuit activity in behaving animals differs substantially from that seen in anesthetized or immobilized ...

Ablation of a Neuronal Population Using a Two-photon Laser and Its Assessment Using Calcium Imaging and Behavioral Recording in Zebrafish Larvae

To identify the role of a subpopulation of neurons in behavior, it is essential to test the consequences of blocking its activity in living animals. Laser ablation of neurons is an effective method for this purpose when neurons are selectively labeled with fluorescent probes. In the present study, protocols for laser ablating a subpopulation of neurons using a two-photon microscope and testing of its functional and behavioral consequences are described. In this study, prey capture behavior in zebrafish larvae is used as a study model. The pretecto-hypothalamic circuit is known to underlie this visually-driven prey catching behavior. Zebrafish pretectum were laser-ablated, and neuronal activity in the inferior lobe of the hypothalamus (ILH; the target of the pretectal projection) was examined. Prey capture behavior after pretectal ablation was also tested.

Here, we present a protocol to ablate a genetically labeled subpopulation of neurons by a two-photon laser from Zebrafish larvae.

To identify the role of a subpopulation of neurons in behavior, it is essential to test the consequences of blocking its activity in living animals. Laser ...

In Vivo Two-photon Imaging of Cortical Neurons in Neonatal Mice

Two-photon imaging is a powerful tool for the in vivo analysis of neuronal circuits in the mammalian brain. However, a limited number of in vivo imaging methods exist for examining the brain tissue of live newborn mammals. Herein we summarize a protocol for imaging individual cortical neurons in living neonatal mice. This protocol includes the following two methodologies: (1) the Supernova system for sparse and bright labeling of cortical neurons in the developing brain, and (2) a surgical procedure for the fragile neonatal skull. This protocol allows the observation of temporal changes of individual cortical neurites during neonatal stages with a high signal-to-noise ratio. Labeled cell-specific gene silencing and knockout can also be achieved by combining the Supernova with RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing systems. This protocol can, thus, be used for analyzing the developmental dynamics of cortical neurons, molecular mechanisms that control the neuronal dynamics, and changes in neuronal dynamics in disease models.

In Vivo Two-photon Imaging of Cortical Neurons in Neonatal Mice

We present an in vivo two-photon imaging protocol for imaging the cerebral cortex of neonatal mice. This method is suitable for analyzing the developmental dynamics of cortical neurons, the molecular mechanisms that control the neuronal dynamics, and the changes in neuronal dynamics in disease models.

Two-photon imaging is a powerful tool for the in vivo analysis of neuronal circuits in the mammalian brain. However, a limited number of in vivo imaging ...

Visualizing Protein Kinase A Activity In Head-fixed Behaving Mice Using In Vivo Two-photon Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy

Neuromodulation exerts powerful control over brain function. Dysfunction of neuromodulatory systems results in neurological and psychiatric disorders. Despite their importance, technologies for tracking neuromodulatory events with cellular resolution are just beginning to emerge. Neuromodulators, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and serotonin, trigger intracellular signaling events via their respective G protein-coupled receptors to modulate neuronal excitability, synaptic communications, and other neuronal functions, thereby regulating information processing in the neuronal network. The above mentioned neuromodulators converge onto the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Therefore, in vivo PKA imaging with single-cell resolution was developed as a readout for neuromodulatory events in a manner analogous to calcium imaging for neuronal electrical activities. Herein, a method is presented to visualize PKA activity at the level of individual neurons in the cortex of head-fixed behaving mice. To do so, an improved A-kinase activity reporter (AKAR), called tAKAR&#945;, is used, which is based on F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET). This genetically-encoded PKA sensor is introduced into the motor cortex via in utero electroporation (IUE) of DNA plasmids, or stereotaxic injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV). FRET changes are imaged using two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (2pFLIM), which offers advantages over ratiometric FRET measurements for quantifying FRET signal in light-scattering brain tissue. To study PKA activities during enforced locomotion, tAKAR&#945; is imaged through a chronic cranial window above the cortex of awake, head-fixed mice, which run or rest on a speed-controlled motorized treadmill. This imaging approach will be applicable to many other brain regions to study corresponding behavior-induced PKA activities and to other FLIM-based sensors for in vivo imaging.

A procedure is presented to visualize protein kinase A activities in head-fixed, behaving mice. An improved A-kinase activity reporter, tAKAR&#945;, is expressed in cortical neurons and made accessible for imaging through a cranial window. Two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy is used to visualize PKA activities in vivo during enforced locomotion.

Neuromodulation exerts powerful control over brain function. Dysfunction of neuromodulatory systems results in neurological and psychiatric disorders. ...

Transpupillary Two-Photon In Vivo Imaging of the Mouse Retina

The retina transforms light signals from the environment into electrical signals that are propagated to the brain. Diseases of the retina are prevalent and cause visual impairment and blindness. Understanding how such diseases progress is critical to formulating new treatments. In vivo&#160;microscopy in animal models of disease is a powerful tool for understanding neurodegeneration and has led to important progress towards treatments of conditions ranging from Alzheimer&#39;s disease to stroke. Given that the retina is the only central nervous system structure inherently accessible by optical approaches, it naturally lends itself towards in vivo imaging. However, the native optics of the lens and cornea present some challenges for effective imaging access.
This protocol outlines methods for in vivo two-photon imaging of cellular cohorts and structures in the mouse retina at cellular resolution, applicable for both acute- and chronic-duration imaging experiments. It presents examples of retinal ganglion cell (RGC), amacrine cell, microglial, and vascular imaging using a suite of labeling techniques including adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, transgenic mice, and inorganic dyes. Importantly, these techniques extend to all cell types of the retina, and suggested methods for accessing other cellular populations of interest are described. Also detailed are example strategies for manual image postprocessing for display and quantification. These techniques are directly applicable to studies of retinal function in health and disease.

In vivo imaging is a powerful tool for the study of biology in health and disease. This protocol describes transpupillary imaging of the mouse retina with a standard two-photon microscope. It also demonstrates different in vivoimaging methods to fluorescently label multiple cellular cohorts of the retina.

The retina transforms light signals from the environment into electrical signals that are propagated to the brain. Diseases of the retina are prevalent ...

Evaluation and Manipulation of Neural Activity Using Two-Photon Holographic Microscopy

Recent advances in optical bioimaging and optogenetics have enabled the visualization and manipulation of biological phenomena, including cellular activities, in living animals. In the field of neuroscience, detailed neural activity related to brain functions, such as learning and memory, has now been revealed, and it has become feasible to artificially manipulate this activity to express brain functions. However, the conventional evaluation of neural activity by two-photon Ca2+ imaging has the problem of low temporal resolution. In addition, manipulation of neural activity by conventional optogenetics through the optic fiber can only simultaneously regulate the activity of neurons with the same genetic background, making it difficult to control the activity of individual neurons. To solve this issue, we recently developed a microscope with a high spatiotemporal resolution for biological applications by combining optogenetics with digital holographic technology that can modify femtosecond infrared laser beams. Here, we describe protocols for the visualization, evaluation, and manipulation of neural activity, including the preparation of samples and operation of a two-photon holographic microscope (Figure 1). These protocols provide accurate spatiotemporal information on neural activity, which may be useful for elucidating the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders that lead to abnormalities in neural activity.

We developed a two-photon holographic microscope that can visualize, assess, and manipulate neural activity using high spatiotemporal resolution, with the aim of elucidating the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders that are associated with abnormal neural activity.

Recent advances in optical bioimaging and optogenetics have enabled the visualization and manipulation of biological phenomena, including cellular ...

In Vivo Wide-Field and Two-Photon Calcium Imaging from a Mouse Using a Large Cranial Window

Wide-field calcium imaging from the mouse&#39;s neocortex allows one to observe cortex-wide neural activity related to various brain functions. On the other hand, two-photon imaging can resolve the activity of local neural circuits at the single-cell level. It is critical to make a large cranial window to perform multiple-scale analysis using both imaging techniques in the same mouse. To achieve this, one must remove a large section of the skull and cover the exposed cortical surface with transparent materials. Previously, glass skulls and polymer-based cranial windows have been developed for this purpose, but these materials are not easily fabricated. The present protocol describes a simple method for making a large cranial window consisting of commercially available polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) wrapping film, a transparent silicone plug, and a cover glass. For imaging the dorsal surface of an entire hemisphere, the window size was approximately 6 x 3 mm2. Severe brain vibrations were not observed regardless of such a large window. Importantly, the condition of the brain surface did not deteriorate for more than one month. Wide-field imaging of a mouse expressing a genetically-encoded calcium indicator (GECI), GCaMP6f, specifically in astrocytes, revealed synchronized responses in a few millimeters. Two-photon imaging of the same mouse showed prominent calcium responses in individual astrocytes over several seconds. Furthermore, a thin layer of an adeno-associated virus was applied to the PVDC film and successfully expressed GECI in cortical neurons over the cranial window. This technique is reliable and cost-effective for making a large cranial window and facilitates the investigation of the neural and glial dynamics and their interactions during behavior at the macroscopic and microscopic levels.

In Vivo Wide-Field and Two-Photon Calcium Imaging from a Mouse Using a Large Cranial Window

The present protocol describes making a large (6 x 3 mm2) cranial window using food wrap, transparent silicone, and cover glass. This cranial window allows in vivo wide-field and two-photon calcium imaging experiments in the same mouse.

Wide-field calcium imaging from the mouse&#39;s neocortex allows one to observe cortex-wide neural activity related to various brain functions. On the ...