Chapter 48 - New Approaches in Glial Biology: Imaging Neuroglial Pathology In Vivo

Abstract

In vivo microscopy has over the recent years evolved as an exciting new approach to visualize neuroglial changes as they happen in the living nervous system. Here, based on our recent review [Misgeld T and Kerschensteiner M (2006) in vivo imaging of the diseased nervous system. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 7: 449–463], we first summarize how the coevolution of imaging and labeling techniques has made in vivo imaging possible. We then provide an updated overview of the studies that have used this approach to follow neuroglial pathology in neurotrauma, neurodegeneration, ischemia, and neuroinflammation. Finally, we discuss the prospects and challenges of in vivo imaging techniques as their resolution expands from cells to molecules.