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The paper shows that it is possible to obtain reliable information on the dependence of the radial distribution of longitudinal birefringence in glass cylindrical elements with a radial distribution of refractive index (GRIN lenses) on the basis of transverse polarization tomography data on residual stresses. This does not require complicated procedures of sample preparation, as is necessary in the case of longitudinal translucency measurements. The approach developed was verified in the experiments with a set of different GRIN lenses formed with the ion exchange technique, and the closeness of the data obtained from transversal and conventional longitudinal transmission measurements was demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper shows that it is possible to obtain reliable information on the dependence of the radial distribution of longitudinal birefringence in glass cylindrical elements with a radial distribution of refractive index (GRIN lenses) on the basis of transverse polarization tomography data on residual stresses. This does not require complicated procedures of sample preparation, as is necessary in the case of longitudinal translucency measurements. The approach developed was verified in the experiments with a set of different GRIN lenses formed with the ion exchange technique, and the closeness of the data obtained from transversal and conventional longitudinal transmission measurements was demonstrated.

Animal behavior is regulated by environmental stimuli and is shaped by the activity of neural networks, underscoring the importance of assessing the morpho-functional properties of different populations of cells in freely behaving animals. In recent years, a number of optical tools have been developed to monitor and modulate neuronal and glial activity at the protein, cellular, or network level and have opened up new avenues for studying brain function in freely behaving animals. Tools such as genetically encoded sensors and actuators are now commonly used for studying brain activity and function through their expression in different neuronal ensembles. In parallel, microscopy has also made major progress over the last decades. The advent of miniature microscopes (mini-microscopes also called mini-endoscopes) has become a method of choice for studying brain activity at the cellular and network levels in different brain regions of freely behaving mice. This technique also allows for longitudinal investigations while animals carrying the microscope on their head are performing behavioral tasks. In this review, we will discuss mini-endoscopic imaging and the advantages that these devices offer to research. We will also discuss current limitations of and potential future improvements in mini-endoscopic imaging.

Animal behavior is regulated by environmental stimuli and is shaped by the activity of neural networks, underscoring the importance of assessing the morpho-functional properties of different populations of cells in freely behaving animals. In recent years, a number of optical tools have been developed to monitor and modulate neuronal and glial activity at the protein, cellular, or network level and have opened up new avenues for studying brain function in freely behaving animals. Tools such as genetically encoded sensors and actuators are now commonly used for studying brain activity and function through their expression in different neuronal ensembles. In parallel, microscopy has also made major progress over the last decades. The advent of miniature microscopes (mini-microscopes also called mini-endoscopes) has become a method of choice for studying brain activity at the cellular and network levels in different brain regions of freely behaving mice. This technique also allows for longitudinal investigations while animals carrying the microscope on their head are performing behavioral tasks. In this review, we will discuss mini-endoscopic imaging and the advantages that these devices offer to research. We will also discuss current limitations of and potential future improvements in mini-endoscopic imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This note is an addendum to the paper Profile Inversion and Closed Form Formulation of Compact GRIN Lenses [1] and summarizes a few comments obtained after publication of [1].

The ability to precisely monitor and manipulate neural circuits is essential to understand the brain. Advancements over the last decade in optical techniques such as calcium imaging and optogenetics have empowered researchers to gain insight into brain function by systematically manipulating or monitoring defined neural circuits. Combining these cutting-edge techniques enables a more direct mechanism for ascribing neural dynamics to behavior. Here, we developed a miniaturized integrated microscope that allows for simultaneous optogenetic manipulation and cellular-resolution calcium imaging within the same field of view in freely behaving mice. The integrated microscope has two LEDs, one filtered with a 435–460 nm excitation filter for imaging green calcium indicators, and a second LED filtered with a 590–650 nm excitation filter for optogenetic modulation of red-shifted opsins. We developed and tested this technology to minimize biological and optical crosstalk. We observed insignificant amounts of biological and optical crosstalk with regards to the optogenetic LED affecting calcium imaging. We observed some amounts of residual crosstalk of the imaging light on optogenetic manipulation. Despite residual crosstalk, we have demonstrated the utility of this technology by probing the causal relationship between basolateral amygdala (BLA) -to- nucleus accumbens (NAc) circuit function, behavior, and network dynamics. Using this integrated microscope we were able to observe both a significant behavioral and cellular calcium response of the optogenetic modulation on the BLA-to-NAc circuit. This integrated strategy will allow for routine investigation of the causality of circuit manipulation on cellular-resolution network dynamics and behavior.

The ability to precisely monitor and manipulate neural circuits is essential to understand the brain. Advancements over the last decade in optical techniques such as calcium imaging and optogenetics have empowered researchers to gain insight into brain function by systematically manipulating or monitoring defined neural circuits. Combining these cutting-edge techniques enables a more direct mechanism for ascribing neural dynamics to behavior. Here, we developed a miniaturized integrated microscope that allows for simultaneous optogenetic manipulation and cellular-resolution calcium imaging within the same field of view in freely behaving mice. The integrated microscope has two LEDs, one filtered with a 435–460 nm excitation filter for imaging green calcium indicators, and a second LED filtered with a 590–650 nm excitation filter for optogenetic modulation of red-shifted opsins. We developed and tested this technology to minimize biological and optical crosstalk. We observed insignificant amounts of biological and optical crosstalk with regards to the optogenetic LED affecting calcium imaging. We observed some amounts of residual crosstalk of the imaging light on optogenetic manipulation. Despite residual crosstalk, we have demonstrated the utility of this technology by probing the causal relationship between basolateral amygdala (BLA) -to- nucleus accumbens (NAc) circuit function, behavior, and network dynamics. Using this integrated microscope we were able to observe both a significant behavioral and cellular calcium response of the optogenetic modulation on the BLA-to-NAc circuit. This integrated strategy will allow for routine investigation of the causality of circuit manipulation on cellular-resolution network dynamics and behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a flexible two-photon microendoscope (2P-FENDO) capable of all-optical brain investigation at near cellular resolution in freely moving mice. The system performs fast two-photon (2P) functional imaging and 2P holographic photostimulation of single and multiple cells using axially confined extended spots. Proof-of-principle experiments were performed in freely moving mice co-expressing jGCaMP7s and the opsin ChRmine in the visual or barrel cortex. On a field of view of 250 μm in diameter, we demonstrated functional imaging at a frame rate of up to 50 Hz and precise photostimulation of selected groups of cells. With the capability to simultaneously image and control defined neuronal networks in freely moving animals, 2P-FENDO will enable a precise investigation of neuronal functions in the brain during naturalistic behaviors. • 2P-FENDO achieves photostimulation at single-cell resolution in freely moving mice • 2P-FENDO demonstrates reliable calcium imaging at 20 Hz in freely moving mice • Intrinsic temporal properties of fiber bundles enable single-cell axial resolution • 2P-FENDO reaches 2P imaging until a depth of 150 μm in the mouse brain Accanto et al. developed a two-photon fiberscope (2P-FENDO) for the selective and reliable optogenetic photostimulation of neurons and high-speed calcium imaging in freely moving mice. 2P-FENDO enables stable recordings over hours without obstructing animal movement, thus representing a key technology to precisely investigate neuronal circuits and understand how they influence behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hyperbolic equation (wave model) was used to take into account the relaxation character of mass transfer at the simulation of the diffusion stage of the formation of GRIN lenses. The results of the calculations are presented in accordance with wave and classic models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]