Nanodiamond quantum sensors reveal temperature variation associated to hippocampal neurons firing

TL;DR

This study introduces a nanodiamond-based nanoscale thermometer to measure temperature changes associated with neuronal firing, enabling detailed insights into cellular processes and potential pathological conditions.

Contribution

It demonstrates for the first time the use of nanodiamond quantum sensors to detect temperature variations linked to neuronal activity at the subcellular level.

Findings

Detected 1°C temperature variations during neuronal firing

Established a new method for measuring localized temperature gradients in neurons

Paved the way for studying physiological mechanisms of temperature changes in neurons

Abstract

Temperature is one of the most relevant parameters for the regulation of intracellular processes. Measuring localized subcellular temperature gradients is fundamental for a deeper understanding of cell function, such as the genesis of action potentials, and cell metabolism. Here, we detect for the first time temperature variations (1{\deg}C) associated with potentiation and depletion of neuronal firing, exploiting a nanoscale thermometer based on optically detected magnetic resonance in nanodiamonds. Our results provide a tool for assessing neuronal spiking activity under physiological and pathological conditions and, conjugated with the high sensitivity of this technique (in perspective sensitive to < 0.1{\deg}C variations), pave the way to a systematic study of the generation of localized temperature gradients. Furthermore, they prompt further studies explaining in detail the physiological mechanism originating this effect.