Imaging Microglia in Live Brain Slices and Slice Cultures

INTRODUCTION This protocol describes methods for fluorescence labeling and time-lapse confocal imaging of microglia in acutely prepared tissue slices from developing and adult animals, and to slice cultures derived from early post-natal day 7 (<PND7) animals. The techniques permit real-time analyses of microglial structure and dynamic remodeling in live rodent brain tissues.