STAR Protocols (Dec 2024)

Protocol for an open-source system to integrate calcium imaging, pupillometry, and locomotion-estimated tracking in head-fixed mice

  • Maria M. Ortiz-Juza,
  • Jovan Tormes-Vaquerano,
  • Sophia M. Hegel,
  • Vincent R. Curtis,
  • Rizk A. Alghorazi,
  • Noah W. Miller,
  • Ellora M. McTaggart,
  • Nicolas C. Pégard,
  • Jose Rodriguez-Romaguera

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 4
p. 103331

Abstract

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Summary: A wide selection of behavioral assays in systems neuroscience relies on head-fixation protocols to integrate in vivo multi-photon imaging approaches. For this, simultaneous pupillometry and locomotion tracking in head-fixed mice are used to measure behavioral responses and identify neural correlates. Here, we present an open-source protocol for assembling a complete head-fixation system that integrates pupillometry and locomotion-estimated tracking with multi-photon calcium imaging. We include detailed procedures for head-fixation and for data collection. : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

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