Work

Detecting intrinsic scattering changes correlated to neuron action potentials using optical coherence imaging

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: We demonstrate how optical coherence imaging techniques can detect intrinsic scattering changes that occur during action potentials in single neurons. Using optical coherence tomography (OCT), an increase in scattering intensity from neurons in the abdominal ganglion of Aplysia californica is observed following electrical stimulation of the connective nerve. In addition, optical coherence microscopy (OCM), with its superior transverse spatial resolution, is used to demonstrate a direct correlation between scattering intensity changes and membrane voltage in single cultured Aplysia bag cell neurons during evoked action potentials. While intrinsic scattering changes are small, OCT and OCM have potential use as tools in neuroscience research for non-invasive and non-contact measurement of neural activity without electrodes or fluorescent dyes. These techniques have many attractive features such as high sensitivity and deep imaging penetration depth, as well as high temporal and spatial resolution. This study demonstrates the first use of OCT and OCM to detect functionally-correlated optical scattering changes in single neurons.

Source: Optics Express

DOI: 10.1364/oe.17.013447

Authors: Benedikt W. Graf, Tyler S. Ralston, Han-Jo Ko, Stephen A. Boppart

Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Language: English

Topic: Optical Coherence Tomography Applications

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,270

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign