Ca2+ Imaging With Two-photon Microscopy to Detect the Disruption of Brain Function in Mice Administered With Neonicotinoid Insecticides

Abstract

Neonicotinoid pesticides are insecticides that are insecticides that reportedly have untargeted effects on bees and dragonflies causing a reduction in numbers. Neonicotinoids act as neuroreceptor modulators, and some studies have reported their association with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the effect of neonicotinoids on the central nervous system has not yet been identified. Herein, we conducted in vivo Ca2+ imaging using a two-photon microscope to detect abnormal activity of neuronal circuits in the brain using a neonicotinoid. The oral administration of acetamiprid (ACE) (20 mg/kg body weight [bw]) in mature mice with a less than the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) and a tenth or half of the median lethal dose (LD50) of nicotine (0.33 or 1.65 mg/kg bw, respectively), as a typical nAChRs agonist, increased anxiety-like behavior associated with altered activities of the neuronal population in the somatosensory cortex. Furthermore, we detected ACE and metabolites in the brain 1 h after ACE administration. The results suggested that in vivo Ca2+ imaging using a two-photon microscope enabled the highly sensitive detection of neurotoxicant-mediated brain disturbance of nerves.