Understanding how a network of interconnected neurons receives, stores, and processes information in the human brain is one of the outstanding scientific challenges of our time. The ability to reliably detect neuroelectric activities is essential to addressing this challenge. Optical recording using voltage-sensitive fluorescent probes has provided unprecedented flexibility for choosing regions of interest in recording neuronal activities. However, when recording at a high frame rate such as 500 to 1,000 Hz, fluorescence-based voltage sensors often suffer from photobleaching and phototoxicity, which limit the recording duration. Here, we report an approach called electrochromic optical recording (ECORE) that achieves label-free optical recording of spontaneous neuroelectrical activities. ECORE utilizes the electrochromism of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) thin films, whose optical absorption can be modulated by an applied voltage. Being based on optical reflection instead of fluorescence, ECORE offers the flexibility of an optical probe without suffering from photobleaching or phototoxicity. Using ECORE, we optically recorded spontaneous action potentials in cardiomyocytes, cultured hippocampal and dorsal root ganglion neurons, and brain slices. With minimal perturbation to cells, ECORE allows long-term optical recording over multiple days.

了解互连的神经元网络如何在人脑中接收，存储和处理信息是当今时代的突出科学挑战之一。可靠地检测神经电活动的能力对于解决这一挑战至关重要。使用压敏荧光探针的光学记录为选择在记录神经元活动中感兴趣的区域提供了前所未有的灵活性。但是，当以高帧频（例如500到1,000 Hz）进行记录时，基于荧光的电压传感器通常会遭受光漂白和光毒性，这会限制记录时间。在这里，我们报告一种称为电致变色光学记录（ECORE）的方法，该方法可实现无标记的自然神经电活动的光学记录。ECORE利用poly（3，4-乙烯二氧噻吩）聚苯乙烯磺酸盐（PEDOT：PSS）薄膜，其光吸收可以通过施加的电压来调节。ECORE基于光学反射而非荧光，可提供光学探针的灵活性，而不会遭受光漂白或光毒性。使用ECORE，我们光学记录了心肌细胞，培养的海马和背根神经节神经元以及脑切片中的自发动作电位。通过对细胞的干扰最小，ECORE可以在数天内进行长期光学记录。我们光学记录了心肌细胞，培养的海马和背根神经节神经元以及脑切片中的自发动作电位。通过对细胞的干扰最小，ECORE可以在数天内进行长期光学记录。我们光学记录了心肌细胞，培养的海马和背根神经节神经元以及脑切片中的自发动作电位。通过对细胞的干扰最小，ECORE可以在数天内进行长期光学记录。