1. An epifluorescence microscopy system, the system comprising: an optical excitation arrangement configured to direct light over an area encompassed within a field of view containing an imaging target along a specimen plane; an imaging circuit including an optical sensor array configured to generate image data from fluorescence caused by an interaction between the directed light and the imaging target; a synchronization circuit in communication with the imaging circuit and configured to interface with an external optical-data processing system that provides visual feedback of the image data; and an optical arrangement configured to direct the fluorescence through a dichroic mirror to the optical sensor array with sufficient intensity and focus for the image data to reach cellular level brain imaging, wherein the epifluorescence microscopy system is configured to be attached and reattached to a base plate of a supportive structure for allowing precise alignment of the epifluorescence microscopy system for repeated imaging of the field of view containing the imaging target during chronic experiments, and wherein the epifluorescence microscopy system has a dimension parallel to the specimen plane that does not exceed 1 inch.