Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers have introduced a game-changing tool for neuroscience: a shallow-angle cannula system that enables direct delivery of imaging agents into the brain. This innovative approach addresses one of the major roadblocks in brain research, the blood-brain barrier, which has traditionally limited the use of many essential fluorescent dyes.
Designed for chronic implantation, the new cannula enters the brain at an angle as low as 8 degrees, allowing it to rest nearly flat against the brain’s surface. This design minimizes disruption while preserving the optical clarity needed for advanced techniques like multiphoton microscopy.
For years, researchers have struggled with how to introduce imaging compounds that aren’t genetically encoded. This cannula system offers a reliable way to infuse such agents directly into brain tissue, enabling long-term, high-resolution imaging in living subjects.
The MGH team demonstrated the technology by delivering fluorescent markers in mouse models and capturing detailed images of various brain structures. Notably, they used the system to monitor neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s models and to track oxygen levels using phosphorescent dyes.
Despite its mildly invasive nature, the shallow-angle cannula opens new doors in experimental design, allowing for longer, deeper studies of brain function. Experts hail it as a critical advancement in cranial imaging, paving the way for better diagnostics, targeted therapies, and deeper insights into neurological disease progression.
Article written by Inara Aguilar
23/04/2025
Source:
Wiley