A method is described for labeling neurons with fluorescent dyes in predetermined functional micro-domains of the neocortex. First, intrinsic signal optical imaging is used to obtain a functional map. Then two-photon microscopy is used to label and image neurons within a micro-domain of the map.
O'Herron, P., Shen, Z., Lu, Z., Schramm, A. E., Levy, M., Kara, P. Targeted Labeling of Neurons in a Specific Functional Micro-domain of the Neocortex by Combining Intrinsic Signal and Two-photon Imaging. J. Vis. Exp. (70), e50025, doi:10.3791/50025 (2012).