Linking stimuli and behavior with fast near-whole brain recordings in adult Drosophila

We describe a method to record near-whole brain activity in behaving adult flies. Pan-neuronal calcium and voltage sensors were imaged at high speed with light field microscopy. Functional maps were then extracted by principal component analysis and independent component analysis. Their characteristic shapes match the anatomy of sub-neuropil regions and in some cases a specific neuron type. Responses to light and odor produced activity patterns consistent with previous techniques. Furthermore, the method detected activity linked to behavior as well as a previously uncharacterized pattern of spontaneous activity in the central complex.