Prolonged Monitoring of Individual Mouse Brain Cells Lasting Up to 99 Days Through Innovative Device
Innovative Analytical Tool Revolutionizes Neuron Tracking Over Time
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have developed a groundbreaking tool called CaliAli, which revolutionizes the tracking of individual neurons in freely moving mice using calcium imaging. The tool offers unprecedented precision, allowing for the consistent monitoring of the same neurons for up to 99 days.
The challenges that neuroscientists have long faced when attempting to track the same neurons over time have been largely overcome by CaliAli. The tool corrects field-of-view shifts and tissue deformations that occur between imaging sessions with remarkable accuracy, ensuring that data collected across multiple sessions can be aligned.
One of CaliAli's key features is its ability to extract clean neural signals by filtering out redundant or noisy data. This noise reduction is essential for the integrity of the neural activity data, as it ensures that the signals are clear and reliable. By reconstructing continuous neural activity videos, researchers are provided with a comprehensive view of how neurons function over extended periods, enabling them to study long-term brain function and monitor changes in neural activity with unprecedented precision.
The extended tracking capability of CaliAli offers new insights into long-term brain function and the progression of neurological diseases. The tool's advanced analytical capabilities make it an essential resource for neuroscientists seeking to explore the complexities of brain function over extended periods during natural behaviors, such as sleep.
This work was partly funded by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Takeda Science Foundation, Uehara Memorial Foundation, The Mitsubishi Foundation, G-7 Scholarship Foundation, and the Japan Science and Technology Agency.
[1] Sakaguchi, M. et al. "A comprehensive suite for extracting neuron signals across multiple sessions in one-photon calcium imaging." Nature Communications.[2] Yamashina, N. (2023, January 16). Press release: University of Tsukuba.[3] University of Tsukuba. (2023, January 16). New analytical tool revolutionizes neuron tracking [image].[4] Yamashina, N. Contact: Yamashina Naoko - University of Tsukuba.
- The new neuroscience news from the University of Tsukuba reveals an innovative tool called CaliAli, revolutionizing memory studies in aged mice by accurately tracking individual neurons over 99 days, offering valuable insights into aging-related brain activity and the progression of medical-conditions like neurological diseases.
- The impact of CaliAli on neuroscience research is significant, as it enables scientists to study health-and-wellness conditions linked to brain function without the traditional complications of tracking the same neurons over time.
- By filtering out noise and reconstructing continuous neural activity videos, technology like CaliAli is opening new avenues for scientific investigations, benefiting neurotech research and potentially improving our understanding of complex brain function.
- Promisingly, this technological advancement in brain imaging may contribute to the development of personalized treatments for various medical-conditions in the future.
- As this research was supported by various grants from esteemed organizations, including the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, it underscores the importance of collaboration between science, technology, and health-and-wellness initiatives for the continuous progress in neuroscience research.
