Synaptic optical imaging platforms: Examining pharmacological modulation of neurotransmitter release at discrete synapses.

Chemical synapses are not only fundamental functional units of the brain but also anatomical and functional biomarkers of numerous brain disorders. Therefore, new experimental readouts of synaptic function are needed--with the spatial resolution of single synapses and the scale to image large ensembles of synapses in specific circuits--for the study of both acute and chronic effects of pharmacological agents on synaptic plasticity in living mammals. In this article we discuss the design and use of fluorescent false neurotransmitters (FFNs) as an important step in the development of versatile synaptic imaging platforms. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Fluorescent Tools in Neuropharmacology'.