Long-term optical imaging of the spinal cord in awake, behaving animals: design files and microCT data

Long-term optical imaging of the spinal cord in awake, behaving animals: design files and microCT data Design files, microCT data, and documentation related to spinal cord imaging methods developed in the Basbaum Lab by [Biafra Ahanonu](https://bahanonu.com/) and [Andrew Crowther](https://profiles.ucsf.edu/andrew.crowther). - Preprint: Ahanonu and Crowther, _et al_. (2023). _Long-term optical imaging of the spinal cord in awake, behaving animals_. bioRxiv (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.05.22.541477v1.full). Abstract below. - See code for imaging processing at https://github.com/bahanonu/ciatah. > Advances in optical imaging approaches and fluorescent biosensors have enabled an understanding of the spatiotemporal and long-term neural dynamics in the brain of awake animals. However, methodological difficulties and the persistence of post-laminectomy fibrosis have greatly limited similar advances in the spinal cord. To overcome these technical obstacles, we combined in vivo application of fluoropolymer membranes that inhibit fibrosis; a redesigned, cost-effective implantable spinal imaging chamber; and improved motion correction methods that together permit imaging of the spinal cord in awake, behaving mice, for months to over a year. We also demonstrated a robust ability to monitor axons, identify a spinal cord somatotopic map, perform months-long freely moving imaging, conduct Ca2+ imaging of neural dynamics in behaving animals responding to pain-provoking stimuli, and observe persistent microglial changes after nerve injury. The ability to couple neural activity and behavior at the spinal cord level will drive insights not previously possible at a key location for somatosensory transmission to the brain.  ## Contents - [3D murine skeletal models (microCT)](#3d-murine-skeletal-models-microct) - [Running wheel and rotary encoder](#running-wheel-and-rotary-encoder) - [Spinal chamber ...