To date, the vast majority of intra-vital neuroimaging systems applied in clinic and diagnostics is stationary with a rigid scanning element, requires specialized facilities and costly infrastructure. Here, we describe a simple yet radical approach for optoacoustic (photoacoustic) brain imaging in vivo using a light-weight handheld probe. It enables multispectral video-rate visualization of hemoglobin gradient changes in the cortex of adult rats induced by whisker and forelimb sensory inputs, as well as by optogenetic stimulation of intra-cortical connections. With superb penetration and molecular specificity, described here in method holds major promises for future applications in research, routine ambulatory neuroimaging, and diagnostics.

Athinoula A Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School Charlestown MA USA

Department of Experimental Neurobiology National Institute of Mental Health Klecany Czech Republic

Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology 3rd Faculty of Medicine Charles University Praha 10 Czech Republic

High Field Magnetic Resonance Department Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics Tuebingen Germany

Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging Helmholtz Zentrum Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health Neuherberg Germany

iThera Medical GmbH Munich Germany

Munich School of Bioengineering and Chair of Biological Imaging at Technical University Munich Munich Germany

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