We thank Ye Wang for discussions and Sorin Pojoga for behavioral training. Supported by the NIH EUREKA Program, the National Eye Institute, the Pew Scholars Program, the James S. McDonnell Foundation (V.D.), and an NIH Vision Training Grant (B.J.H.).

<ol>
	<li>Hubel, D. H., Wiesel, T. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Receptive+fields+and+functional+architecture+of+monkey+striate+cortex.">Receptive fields and functional architecture of monkey striate cortex.</a> J Physiol. 195, 215-243 (1968).</li><li>Mountcastle, V. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modality+and+topographic+properties+of+single+neurons+of+cat's+somatic+sensory+cortex.">Modality and topographic properties of single neurons of cat's somatic sensory cortex.</a> J Neurophysiol. 20, 408-434 (1957).</li><li>Nassi, J. J., Callaway, E. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Parallel+processing+strategies+of+the+primate+visual+system.">Parallel processing strategies of the primate visual system.</a> Nat Rev Neurosci. 10, 360-372 (2009).</li><li>Ringach, D. L., Hawken, M. J., Shapley, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dynamics+of+orientation+tuning+in+macaque+primary+visual+cortex.">Dynamics of orientation tuning in macaque primary visual cortex.</a> Nature. 387, 281-284 (1997).</li><li>Martinez, L. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Receptive+field+structure+varies+with+layer+in+the+primary+visual+cortex.">Receptive field structure varies with layer in the primary visual cortex.</a> Nat Neurosci. 8, 372-379 (2005).</li><li>Lakatos, P., Karmos, G., Mehta, A. D., Ulbert, I., Schroeder, C. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Entrainment+of+neuronal+oscillations+as+a+mechanism+of+attentional+selection.">Entrainment of neuronal oscillations as a mechanism of attentional selection.</a> Science. 320, 110-113 (2008).</li><li>Sun, W., Dan, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Layer-specific+network+oscillation+and+spatiotemporal+receptive+field+in+the+visual+cortex.">Layer-specific network oscillation and spatiotemporal receptive field in the visual cortex.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 106, 17986-17991 (2009).</li><li>Maier, A., Adams, G. K., Aura, C., Leopold, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Distinct+superficial+and+deep+laminar+domains+of+activity+in+the+visual+cortex+during+rest+and+stimulation.">Distinct superficial and deep laminar domains of activity in the visual cortex during rest and stimulation.</a> Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience. 4, 12-12 (2010).</li><li>Mitzdorf, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Current+source-density+method+and+application+in+cat+cerebral+cortex:+investigation+of+evoked+potentials+and+EEG+phenomena.">Current source-density method and application in cat cerebral cortex: investigation of evoked potentials and EEG phenomena.</a> Physiol Rev. 65, 37-100 (1985).</li><li>Mitzdorf, U., Singer, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Excitatory+synaptic+ensemble+properties+in+the+visual+cortex+of+the+macaque+monkey:+a+current+source+density+analysis+of+electrically+evoked+potentials.">Excitatory synaptic ensemble properties in the visual cortex of the macaque monkey: a current source density analysis of electrically evoked potentials.</a> J Comp Neurol. 187, 71-83 (1979).</li><li>Schroeder, C. E., Mehta, A. D., Givre, S. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+spatiotemporal+profile+of+visual+system+activation+revealed+by+current+source+density+analysis+in+the+awake+macaque.">A spatiotemporal profile of visual system activation revealed by current source density analysis in the awake macaque.</a> Cereb Cortex. 8, 575-592 (1998).</li><li>Schroeder, C. E., Tenke, C. E., Givre, S. J., Arezzo, J. C., Vaughan, H. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Striate+cortical+contribution+to+the+surface-recorded+pattern-reversal+VEP+in+the+alert+monkey.">Striate cortical contribution to the surface-recorded pattern-reversal VEP in the alert monkey.</a> Vision Res. 31, 1143-1157 (1991).</li><li>Amzica, F., Steriade, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cellular+substrates+and+laminar+profile+of+sleep+K-complex.">Cellular substrates and laminar profile of sleep K-complex.</a> Neuroscience. 82, 671-686 (1998).</li><li>Kandel, A., Buzsaki, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cellular-synaptic+generation+of+sleep+spindles,+spike-and-wave+discharges,+and+evoked+thalamocortical+responses+in+the+neocortex+of+the+rat.">Cellular-synaptic generation of sleep spindles, spike-and-wave discharges, and evoked thalamocortical responses in the neocortex of the rat.</a> J Neurosci. 17, 6783-6797 (1997).</li><li>Sakata, S., Harris, K. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Laminar+structure+of+spontaneous+and+sensory-evoked+population+activity+in+auditory+cortex.">Laminar structure of spontaneous and sensory-evoked population activity in auditory cortex.</a> Neuron. 64, 404-418 (2009).</li><li>Nicholson, C., Freeman, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Theory+of+current+source-density+analysis+and+determination+of+conductivity+tensor+for+anuran+cerebellum.">Theory of current source-density analysis and determination of conductivity tensor for anuran cerebellum.</a> J Neurophysiol. 38, 356-368 (1975).</li><li>Pettersen, K. H., Devor, A., Ulbert, I., Dale, A. M., Einevoll, G. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Current-source+density+estimation+based+on+inversion+of+electrostatic+forward+solution:+effects+of+finite+extent+of+neuronal+activity+and+conductivity+discontinuities.">Current-source density estimation based on inversion of electrostatic forward solution: effects of finite extent of neuronal activity and conductivity discontinuities.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 154, 116-133 (2006).</li><li>Vaknin, G., DiScenna, P. G., Teyler, T. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+method+for+calculating+current+source+density+(CSD)+analysis+without+resorting+to+recording+sites+outside+the+sampling+volume.">A method for calculating current source density (CSD) analysis without resorting to recording sites outside the sampling volume.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 24, 131-135 (1988).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

Multi-unit recordings have become standard for analyzing how neural networks in the cortex encode stimulus information. Given the recent advancements in electrode technology, the implementation of laminar electrodes enables an unprecedented characterization of local cortical circuits. Although multi-electrode recordings offer useful information about neural population dynamics, multiple laminar electrodes enable greater resolution and more information about the specific location of neurons. Since the cortex is organize...

<table border="1">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of Equipment</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalogue number</td>
 <td>Comments</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Nan microdrive system</td>
 <td>Nan Instruments</td>
 <td>NAN-S4 </td>
 <td>Figure 2. Custom clamps are needed to use the U-Probe. Everything mentioned with exception of the U-Probe is provided by NAN instruments. </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Screw microdrives</td>
 <td>MIT Machine shop</td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 <td>Anything that is able to secure a guide tube to the NAN grid should be appropriate.</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Stainless Steel Guide Tubes</td>
 <td>Small Parts</td>
 <td>B00137QHNS (1) or B00137QHO2 (5)</td>
 <td>These are 60 in long and cut to size in the laboratory using a Dremel hand drill</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Plexon U-Probe</td>
 <td>Plexon, Inc</td>
 <td>PLX-UP-16-25ED-100-SE-360-25T-500</td>
 <td>See U-Probe specifications available at <a href="www.plexon.com">www.plexon.com</a> Also see Figure 1.</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>
Table 1. Hardware.
<table border="1">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of Software</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Website</td>
 <td>Comments</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>NAN software</td>
 <td>NAN</td>
 <td><a href="http://www.naninstruments.com/DesignConcept.htm">http://www.naninstruments.com/DesignConcept.htm</a></td>
 <td>Computer interface requires an additional serial port to accommodate the Plexon system and the NAN hardware</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Offline Sorter, FPAlign, PlexUtil, MATLAB programs</td>
 <td>Plexon</td>
 <td><a href="http://www.plexon.com/downloads.html#Software">http://www.plexon.com/downloads.html#Software</a></td>
 <td>Under 'Installation Packages'</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>NeuroExplorer</td>
 <td>NeuroExplorer</td>
 <td><a href="http://www.neuroexplorer.com/">http://www.neuroexplorer.com/</a></td>
 <td>Under 'Resources'</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>CSDplotter Version 0.1.1</td>
 <td>Klas H. Petterson</td>
 <td><a href="http://arken.umb.no/~klaspe/user_guide.pdf">http://arken.umb.no/~klaspe/user_guide.pdf</a></td>
 <td>&nbsp;</td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>
Table 2. Software.

examining local network processing using multi-contact laminar electrode recording

Cortical layers are ubiquitous structures throughout neocortex1-4 that consist of highly recurrent local networks. In recent years, significant progress has been made in our understanding of differences in response properties of neurons in different cortical layers5-8, yet there is still a great deal left to learn about whether and how neuronal populations encode information in a laminar-specific manner.
Existing multi-electrode array techniques, although informative for measuring responses across many millimeters of cortical space along the cortical surface, are unsuitable to approach the issue of laminar cortical circuits. Here, we present our method for setting up and recording individual neurons and local field potentials (LFPs) across cortical layers of primary visual cortex (V1) utilizing multi-contact laminar electrodes (Figure 1; Plextrode U-Probe, Plexon Inc).
The methods included are recording device construction, identification of cortical layers, and identification of receptive fields of individual neurons. To identify cortical layers, we measure the evoked response potentials (ERPs) of the LFP time-series using full-field flashed stimuli. We then perform current-source density (CSD) analysis to identify the polarity inversion accompanied by the sink-source configuration at the base of layer 4 (the sink is inside layer 4, subsequently referred to as granular layer9-12). Current-source density is useful because it provides an index of the location, direction, and density of transmembrane current flow, allowing us to accurately position electrodes to record from all layers in a single penetration6, 11, 12.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Examining Local Network Processing using Multi-contact Laminar Electrode Recording at JoVE.com

Examining Local Network Processing using Multi-contact Laminar Electrode Recording

A fundamental issue in our understanding of cortical circuitry is how networks in different cortical layers encode sensory information. Here we describe electrophysiological techniques utilizing multi-contact laminar electrodes to record single-units and local field potentials and present analyses to identify cortical layers.

Cortical layers are ubiquitous structures throughout neocortex1-4 that consist of highly recurrent local networks. In recent years, significant progress ...

examining-local-network-processing-using-multi-contact-laminar

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

12.7K Views.  University of Texas. A fundamental issue in our understanding of cortical circuitry is how networks in different cortical layers encode sensory information. Here we describe electrophysiological techniques utilizing multi-contact laminar electrodes to record single-units and local field potentials and present analyses to identify cortical layers.