Understanding brain circuit function and dysfunction goes hand-by-hand with the development and application of appropriate technologies. One of the hardest issues is to understand the mechanisms of function of neuronal microcircuits. In principle, this requires monitoring the activity of multiple single neurons simultaneously at high spatiotemporal resolution. Promising developments have occurred in the imaging field, in which methodological improvements are allowing to obtain information regarding neural circuit functions with unprecedented detail. On one side, non-linear microscopy is allowing to investigate neuronal activity in thick samples, by combining infrared light and high-sensitivity detectors. On the other side, the development of novel fluorescent probes coupled with high-speed imaging systems is allowing to map large-scale brain circuits. In this research topic we will collect the most relevant contributions in the field of imaging research, highlighting both technological solutions and their applications for understanding brain circuit functions at different complexity scales.
Understanding brain circuit function and dysfunction goes hand-by-hand with the development and application of appropriate technologies. One of the hardest issues is to understand the mechanisms of function of neuronal microcircuits. In principle, this requires monitoring the activity of multiple single neurons simultaneously at high spatiotemporal resolution. Promising developments have occurred in the imaging field, in which methodological improvements are allowing to obtain information regarding neural circuit functions with unprecedented detail. On one side, non-linear microscopy is allowing to investigate neuronal activity in thick samples, by combining infrared light and high-sensitivity detectors. On the other side, the development of novel fluorescent probes coupled with high-speed imaging systems is allowing to map large-scale brain circuits. In this research topic we will collect the most relevant contributions in the field of imaging research, highlighting both technological solutions and their applications for understanding brain circuit functions at different complexity scales.
