Stable wide-field voltage imaging for observing neuronal plasticity at the neuronal network level

Plasticity is the key feature of our brain function. Specifically, plasticity of hippocampal synapses is critical for learning and memory. The functional properties of the neuronal circuit change as a result of synaptic plasticity. This review summarizes the use of voltage-sensitive dyes (VSDs) to examine neuronal circuit plasticity. We will discuss the significance of plastic changes in circuit function as well as the technical issue of using VSDs. Further, we will discuss the neural circuit level plasticity of the hippocampus caused by long-term potentiation and the entorhinal-perirhinal connection. This review article is an extended version of the Japanese article, Membrane Potential Imaging with Voltage-sensitive Dye (VSD) for Long-term Recording, published in SEIBUTSU BUTSURI Vol. 61, p. 404–408 (2021).