High-Speed and Scalable Whole-Brain Imaging in Rodents and Primates

Subcellular resolution imaging of the whole brain and subsequent image analysis are prerequisites for understanding anatomical and functional brain networks. Here, we have developed a very high-speed serial-sectioning imaging system named FAST (block-face serial microscopy tomography), which acquire... Full description

Subcellular resolution imaging of the whole brain and subsequent image analysis are prerequisites for understanding anatomical and functional brain networks. Here, we have developed a very high-speed serial-sectioning imaging system named FAST (block-face serial microscopy tomography), which acquires high-resolution images of a whole mouse brain in a speed range comparable to that of light-sheet fluorescence microscopy. FAST enables complete visualization of the brain at a resolution sufficient to resolve all cells and their subcellular structures. FAST renders unbiased quantitative group comparisons of normal and disease model brain cells for the whole brain at a high spatial resolution. Furthermore, FAST is highly scalable to non-human primate brains and human postmortem brain tissues, and can visualize neuronal projections in a whole adult marmoset brain. Thus, FAST provides new opportunities for global approaches that will allow for a better understanding of brain systems in multiple animal models and in human diseases. •FAST acquires whole-brain subcellular resolution images with unprecedented speed•FAST is scalable to non-human primate brains and human postmortem brain tissues•FAST renders unbiased group comparisons of the whole-brain high-resolution images Seiriki et al. developed a very high-speed serial-sectioning imaging system named FAST that allows whole-brain imaging at a spatial resolution to image all brain cells and long-range neuronal projections in experimental animal models and facilitates animal-to-human translational research.