Temporal synchrony, discovered in our laboratory using Live Imaging, Neuromolecular Imaging
(NMI), and the BRODERICK PROBE® reveals a distinctive rhythmic regularity between neurotransmitter synaptic release and movement frequency in the natural, physiologic state. Using this innovative nanotechnology of NMI and BRODERICK PROBE® nanobiosensors, a point-by-point temporal synchrony was imaged between the synaptic concentration of serotonin (5-HT) released from structures such as dorsal striatum A9 and ventral striatum A10 terminals, basal nucleus, and ventrolateral nucleus accumbens (vlNAcc) in concert with natural open-field behaviors such as ambulating movement and finer movements of grooming, licking, and chewing. Indeed, 5-HT synaptic concentration increased and decreased in parallel and simultaneously with the rise and fall of open-field behavior frequency. Thus, temporal synchrony occurs when the symphony of physiologic neurochemistry and behavior is uninterrupted by drugs, disease, or injury. In contrast, neurotransmitter release and movement frequency are not in concert when monitoring, for example, psychostimulant-induced behaviors produced by cocaine. After cocaine administration, NMI and BRODERICK PROBE® nanobiosensors revealed temporal asynchrony between endogenous 5-HT release at A10 terminals, basal stem nucleus, somatodendrites, and VTA and both cocaine-induced ambulations and fine movements in freely moving, male Sprague Dawley animals.