Ionic contrast terahertz near-field imaging of axonal activity and water fluxes
Abstract
We demonstrated the direct and noninvasive imaging of functional neurons,1 as well as auricular heart muscle electrical activity 2 by Ionic Contrast Terahertz (ICT) near-field microscopy. This technique provides quantitative measurements of ionic concentrations in both the intracellular and extracellular compartments and opens the way to direct noninvasive imaging of neurons during electrical, toxin, or thermal stresses. Furthermore, neuronal activity results from both a precise control of transient variations in ionic conductances and a much less studied water exchange between the extracellular matrix and the intraaxonal compartment. The developed ICT technique associated with a full three-dimensional simulation of the axon-aperture near-field system allows a precise measurement of the axon geometry and therefore the direct visualization of neuron swelling induced by temperature change or neurotoxin poisoning. This technique should then provide grounds for the development of advanced functional neuroimaging methods based on diffusion anisotropy of water molecules. < Previous ArticleNext Article > . .Full Content is available to subscribers Subscribe/Learn More > Proceedings Article Ionic contrast terahertz near-field imaging of axonal activity and water fluxes Jean-Baptiste Masson ; Martin-Pierre Sauviat ; Jean-Louis Martin ; Guilhem Gallot [+-] Author Affiliations Jean-Baptiste Masson, Martin-Pierre Sauviat, Jean-Louis Martin, Guilhem GallotEcole Polytechnique, CNRS, INSERM (France) Proc. SPIE 6441, Imaging, Manipulation, and Analysis of Biomolecules, Cells, and Tissues V, 644102 (February 19, 2007); doi:10.1117/12.698309 Text Size: A A A .From Conference Volume 6441 Imaging, Manipulation, and Analysis of Biomolecules, Cells, and Tissues V Daniel L. Farkas; Robert C. Leif; Dan V. Nicolau San Jose, CA | January 20, 2007 Abstract.abstract .We demonstrated the direct and noninvasive imaging of functional neurons,1 as well as auricular heart muscle electrical activity2 by Ionic Contrast Terahertz (ICT) near-field microscopy. This technique provides quantitative measurements of ionic concentrations in both the intracellular and extracellular compartments and opens the way to direct noninvasive imaging of neurons during electrical, toxin, or thermal stresses. Furthermore, neuronal activity results from both a precise control of transient variations in ionic conductances and a much less studied water exchange between the extracellular matrix and the intraaxonal compartment. The developed ICT technique associated with a full three-dimensional simulation of the axon-aperture near-field system allows a precise measurement of the axon geometry and therefore the direct visualization of neuron swelling induced by temperature change or neurotoxin poisoning. This technique should then provide grounds for the development of advanced functional neuroimaging methods based on diffusion anisotropy of water molecules. © (2007) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering.