埋め込み型撮像デバイスによるマウス脳内蛍光画像を用いた神経活動検出手法の開発

We developed a method to detect neural activity in the brain from fluorescence images obtained by an implantable lens-less imaging device and investigated the relationship between neural activity in VTA (Ventral Tegmental Area) and mouse movements by administrating alcohol into GCaMP expressed transgenic mice.The activity of a group of synchronized neurons was quantified using zero-mean cross-correlation between a normalized template (ROI pattern) and the image after correcting the imaging devices nonlinear characteristics and reducing noise.As a result, we found that the inactive ROI in the resting state was activated more than once during the movement, indicating a strong correlation between mouse movement and neural activity.In the interval immediately after alcohol administration, the pixel values began to fall just before the movement and then returned during the movement, which may be a precursor to the movement.It was also observed that the frequency characteristics of the mean pixel values changed significantly after the administration of alcohol and then returned to the original values as time passed.