Corrective micro-optics expand deep-brain two-photon imaging field of view fourfold
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A Science Advances study published on October 22, 2026 describes lightweight microfabricated optical elements that correct aberrations in GRIN microendoscopes, expanding the effective field of view of deep-brain MINI2P two-photon imaging in freely behaving mice by more than fourfold. Applying the approach in the ventral posteromedial thalamus, the researchers recorded head-direction cells and found no spatial clustering of head-direction preference, suggesting that this sensory thalamic nucleus encodes head direction with a sparse population code. The method is available to the community and points toward wider-field interrogation of deep and subcortical brain regions during natural behavior. Open questions include how the corrective optics perform across other deep brain areas and behavioral paradigms, and whether sparse head-direction coding extends to other sensory thalamic nuclei.
Written by a model from the reports · updated 3 hours ago
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- Science AdvancesExtended field-of-view two-photon imaging in the deep brain of freely behaving mice using lightweight microfabricated corrective optics.
A Science Advances paper uses lightweight microfabricated optical elements to correct aberrations in GRIN endoscopes, expanding the effective field of view of deep-brain MINI2P two-photon imaging by more than fourfold. In the ventral posteromedial thalamus of freely moving mice, the authors recorded head direction cells and found no spatial clustering of head direction preference, suggesting sensory thalamus encodes head direction sparsely. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aei5334.
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