Ca2+ Imaging of Dendrites and Spines

The intracellular calcium concentration is one key parameter triggering numerous intracellular signalling pathways in neuronal cells. The development of optical techniques like fast confocal or 2-photon microscopy has made it possible to measure calcium dynamics even in sub-cellular compartments like dendrites and dendritic spines at high temporal and spatial resolution. This chapter provides experimental and technical details for different imaging techniques appropriate for calcium measurements in sub-cellular compartments, discusses specific advantages and limitations and calls attention to possible pitfalls.