Awake Mouse Imaging
Awake Mouse Imaging - Related Videos
03:13
Simultaneous Imaging of Microglial Dynamics and Neuronal Activity in an Awake Mouse
0 Views •
2025
Source: Maruoka, H., et. al. Simultaneous Imaging of Microglial Dynamics and Neuronal Activity in Awake Mice. J. Vis. Exp. (2022) This video shows a two-photon microscopy procedure for imaging neuronal activity and microglial dynamics in an awake mouse during visual stimulation, highlighting calcium transients and cellular interactions.
09:31
Evaluating the Procedure for Performing Awake Cystometry in a Mouse Model
0 Views •
Cited by 10 •
2017
This study describes the surgical procedures and experimental techniques for performing awake cystometry in a freely moving mouse. In addition, it provides experimental evidence to support its optimization and standardization.
09:08
Multiple-mouse Neuroanatomical Magnetic Resonance Imaging
0 Views •
Cited by 59 •
2011
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an increasingly popular tool for examining the phenotype of genetically altered mice. This article illustrates the methods necessary to achieve high-throughput phenotyping of genetically altered mice using multiple-mouse MRI.
14:06
Preparation of an Awake Mouse for Recording Neural Responses and Injecting Tracers
0 Views •
Cited by 26 •
2012
Electrophysiological characterization of neuronal responses is important for understanding brain function and for guiding the placement of dyes for pathway tracing. However, many studies are performed in anesthetized animals. To understand brain function without anesthetics, we developed a method to record neuronal response properties and inject dyes in awake mouse.
02:58
Investigating Auditory Neuronal Responses in an Awake Mouse in the Presence of an Inhibitory Neurotransmitter Blocker
0 Views •
2025
This video demonstrates the study of neuronal activity in a specific region of the mouse brain that processes auditory stimuli. The technique involves applying an inhibitory neurotransmission blocker and comparing neuronal responses to auditory stimuli before and after the drug is applied to the localized brain region.
FAQs
Anesthesia can alter brain states and behaviors that researchers want to measure, making neural or physiological responses less representative of perception, learning, decision-making, or task performance. Imaging conscious mice helps preserve these state-dependent relationships. This distinction is especially important when the study aims to connect brain activity with behavior rather than characterize isolated activity under controlled sedation.
A head-fixation system stabilizes the mouse sufficiently for imaging while allowing the animal to remain conscious and receive sensory stimuli or perform a task. Stabilization reduces movement that could obscure brain signals, but it does not eliminate the need for behavioral monitoring and motion correction. These complementary measures help separate neural changes from movement-related artifacts.
Motion correction addresses changes in image position that can resemble alterations in neural activity or physiology. Because conscious mice may move while being imaged, researchers use correction alongside behavioral monitoring to identify movement-related distortions. The resulting analysis is more likely to attribute observed signal changes to brain processes rather than to shifts caused by the animal's movement.
The central difference is the brain and behavioral state during measurement. Awake mouse imaging preserves conscious responses and task-related behavior, whereas anesthesia can modify the states that shape neural activity and physiological changes. Consequently, the awake approach is suited to questions linking cellular or circuit dynamics with perception, learning, decision-making, and other behaviorally meaningful processes.
A typical workflow stabilizes the mouse with a head-fixation system, applies an optical or other imaging method, and records brain structure, neural activity, or physiological changes while the animal receives stimuli or performs a task. Researchers also monitor behavior and apply motion correction during analysis. Together, these steps connect image-derived signals with the mouse's ongoing actions and responses.
Researchers choose this approach when behavioral context is central to the question, such as examining how perception, learning, or decision-making relates to cellular and circuit dynamics. It is also useful for studying disease-related brain changes and evaluating potential therapies. Preserving conscious behavior can provide more ecologically relevant insight than measurements made in altered brain states.
Depending on the selected imaging method, studies can visualize brain structure, neural activity, or physiological changes. When these measurements are paired with sensory stimulation or task performance, they can reveal how cellular and circuit dynamics relate to behavior. In disease research, the same framework supports analysis of neurological changes and investigation of potential therapeutic effects.