Neural activity of moving animal recorded in 3D (Video)

Neural activity of moving animal recorded in 3D (Video)
Neural activity of moving animal recorded in 3D (Video)

Scientists in Princeton University have developed an instrument that allows three-dimensional recordings of neural activity in nearly the entire brain of a free-moving animal. The recordings could provide scientists with a better understanding of how neurons coordinate action and perception in humans.




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The setup included a suite of three cameras to monitor neuronal fluorescence, as well as the worm’s position and orientation. Custom software tracked the 3D position of the worm’s head in real time, and two feedback loops adjusted a motorized stage and objective to keep the head within the field of view as the worm roamed freely.

The researchers observed calcium transients from up to 77 neurons for over four minutes and correlated this activity with the worm’s behavior.

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“Neuroscience is at the beginning of a transition towards larger-scale recordings of neural activity and towards studying animals under more natural conditions,” said Princeton fellow and lecturer Andrew Leifer, who led the work. “This work helps push the field forward on both fronts.”


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