Ultrafast neuronal imaging of dopamine dynamics with designed genetically encoded sensors

TLDR

Imaging dopamine release in the brain reveals that neuromodulator release alters target circuit function in poorly understood ways. The study aims to measure neuromodulatory signal dynamics while manipulating target circuit elements during behavior. The authors developed fluorescent protein–based dopamine indicators and used two‑photon imaging in cortex to map dopamine activity at cellular resolution with high fidelity and resolution. Patriarchi et al., Science, this issue p.

Abstract

Imaging dopamine release in the brain Neuromodulator release alters the function of target circuits in poorly known ways. An essential step to address this knowledge gap is to measure the dynamics of neuromodulatory signals while simultaneously manipulating the elements of the target circuit during behavior. Patriarchi et al. developed fluorescent protein–based dopamine indicators to visualize spatial and temporal release of dopamine directly with high fidelity and resolution. In the cortex, two-photon imaging with these indicators was used to map dopamine activity at cellular resolution. Science , this issue p. eaat4422