Volumetric, multi-neuronal imaging in freely behaving Drosophila larvae

The Gershow Lab is occupied with trying to answer how living brains make decisions, and we use Drosophila larvae to answer this profound question. By combining our previously published two-photon tracking scheme with the commercially available dual-beam hyperscope from Scientifica, we have achieved fast, volumetric imaging of multiple neurons and extended cell bodies in freely behaving organisms. We demonstrate imaging from motor neurons, pre-motor interneurons, and sensory neurons in freely moving larvae. This brings us closer to understanding decision making, with the potential to identify discrete decision making neurons in a living brain.