Removable cranial windows for long-term imaging in awake mice

Glenn J. Goldey, Demetris K. Roumis, Lindsey L. Glickfeld, Aaron M. Kerlin, R. Clay Reid, Vincent Bonin, Dorothy P. Schafer, Mark L. Andermann

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

250 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cranial window implants in head-fixed rodents are becoming a preparation of choice for stable optical access to large areas of the cortex over extended periods of time. Here we provide a highly detailed and reliable surgical protocol for a cranial window implantation procedure for chronic wide-field and cellular imaging in awake, head-fixed mice, which enables subsequent window removal and replacement in the weeks and months after the initial craniotomy. This protocol has facilitated awake, chronic imaging in adolescent and adult mice over several months from a large number of cortical brain regions; targeted virus and tracer injections from data obtained using prior awake functional mapping; and functionally targeted two-photon imaging across all cortical layers in awake mice using a microprism attachment to the cranial window. Collectively, these procedures extend the reach of chronic imaging of cortical function and dysfunction in behaving animals.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2515-2538
Number of pages24
JournalNature Protocols
Volume9
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 27 2014
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

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© 2014 Nature America, Inc. All rights reserved.

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