The TD Drive: A Parametric, Open-Source Implant for Multi-Area Electrophysiological Recordings in Behaving and Sleeping Rats

Our research goal is to better understand the neural mechanisms underlying memory processing, especially to examine the interactions between specific brain regions in real time during different learning time points, and also during sleep. In this regard, here we developed a novel drive implant that enables us to look at neural activity simultaneously across multiple brain regions in freely moving rats during task and rest periods. To record brain activity in behaving animals, researchers commonly use self-made complex implants with dozens of individually movable wire electrodes.

However, using and implanting these devices successfully can take years of training. Our drive is easy to build and does not need expert hands, making this kind of research more accessible. The TD drive was designed based on three ideas, contrasting it to other complex designs.

It should allow for recording of multiple brain areas bilaterally, be relatively easy and quick to build, and researchers should be able to adapt the design themselves without having to have advanced knowledge of 3D design. We aim to understand, how do different brain regions interact with each other when rodents perform simple versus complex behavior tasks? How does learning and different drugs affect these interactions between brain regions during sleep, and how are these interactions during sleep related to memory performance?