# Bidirectional optical-acoustic mesoscopic neural interface for image-guided neuromodulation in behaving animals

> **NIH NIH UF1** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $343,185

## Abstract

Summary
Neuroscience has an essential requirement for large-scale neural recording and
perturbation technologies for the understanding of brain function, as well as in the
diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. At present, a large gap exists
between the localized optical microscopy studies looking at fast neuronal activities at
single cell resolution level and the whole-brain observations of slow hemodynamics and
brain metabolism provided by the macroscopic imaging modalities. The proposed three-
year project is aimed at developing a highly synergistic triple-modality platform
combining acoustic stimulation with volumetric optoacoustic and planar fluorescence
imaging to volumetrically monitor and perturb the activity of large, distributed neuronal
populations with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. This goal will be
accomplished by constructing a bi-directional interface based on a spherical matrix array
transducer capable of both recording real-time three-dimensional optoacoustic
tomographic data and acoustic phased array beam steering and holography for
ultrasonic neural stimulation. The high temporal resolution in these volumetric recordings
will make it possible to directly and indirectly track neural activity, with novel near-
infrared calcium (Ca2+) sensors and intrinsic hemodynamic contrast, respectively. The
resulting scanner will simultaneously record activity from large fields of view in scattering
brains, including deep subcortical structures inaccessible by any light microscope. The
plan of action includes screening of several potential candidates for Ca2+ imaging,
including genetic and chemigenetic sensors. System validation will be performed in vivo
in mice, aiming at establishing sensitivity and spatiotemporal resolution metrics in
detecting Ca2+ relevant for sensory-based decision making. Finally, the complete system
will be used to probe the link between neural activity and behavior by systematically
characterizing the effects of image-targeted US perturbation in mice performing
olfactory-guided tasks. In contrast to purely optical techniques, the proposed method is
tailored for non-invasive deep brain observations and manipulations and is ideal for large
fields of view and columnar-scale mesoscopic resolutions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10117461
- **Project number:** 3UF1NS107680-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel Razansky
- **Activity code:** UF1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $343,185
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-09-30 → 2021-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10117461

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10117461, Bidirectional optical-acoustic mesoscopic neural interface for image-guided neuromodulation in behaving animals (3UF1NS107680-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10117461. Licensed CC0.

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