Ischemic stroke causes long-term disability and results in motor impairments. Such impairments are associated with structural changes in the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), including detailed morphology and three-dimensional (3D) distribution. However, previous studies only explored morphological changes of individual NMJs after stroke, which limits the understanding of their role in post-stroke motor impairment. Here, we examine 3D distributions and detailed morphology of NMJs in entire mouse muscles after unilateral and bilateral strokes induced by photothrombosis. The results show that 3D distributions and numbers of NMJs do not change after stroke, and severe unilateral stroke causes similar levels of NMJ fragmentation and area enlargement to bilateral stroke. This research provides structural data, deepening the understanding of neuromuscular pathophysiology after stroke.

颅骨的高散射极大地限制了光学技术在活体脑成像中的应用。开颅窗和磨薄颅骨窗等基于手术的“颅窗”让皮层神经-血管观测成为可能，但各有局限性。近年来发展的活体颅骨光透明技术，以一种更方便、更无创方式建立光透明颅窗。本文主要介绍活体颅骨光透明的发展及应用：1）颅骨光透明方法；2）基于光透明颅窗的细胞及血管成像；3）透过光透明颅窗，实现皮层光操控，包括结合光动力效应打开血脑屏障或实施靶向栓塞、基于激光损伤的靶向出血性脑卒中建立、以及在光遗传学方面的应用等。最后，对活体颅骨光透明技术未来的发展和应用做出展望。