Frontiers in Physiology (Jan 2021)

Chronic Cranial Windows for Long Term Multimodal Neurovascular Imaging in Mice

  • Kıvılcım Kılıç,
  • Michèle Desjardins,
  • Jianbo Tang,
  • Jianbo Tang,
  • Martin Thunemann,
  • Smrithi Sunil,
  • Şefik Evren Erdener,
  • Şefik Evren Erdener,
  • Dmitry D. Postnov,
  • Dmitry D. Postnov,
  • David A. Boas,
  • Anna Devor

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.612678
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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Chronic cranial windows allow for longitudinal brain imaging experiments in awake, behaving mice. Different imaging technologies have their unique advantages and combining multiple imaging modalities offers measurements of a wide spectrum of neuronal, glial, vascular, and metabolic parameters needed for comprehensive investigation of physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms. Here, we detail a suite of surgical techniques for installation of different cranial windows targeted for specific imaging technologies and their combination. Following these techniques and practices will yield higher experimental success and reproducibility of results.

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