Name: construction of microdrive arrays for chronic neural recordings in awake behaving mice
Uploaded: 2013-07-05T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Construction of Microdrive Arrays for Chronic Neural Recordings in Awake Behaving Mice at JoVE.com

We thank Daniel Carpi for his help and early contributions to this project. We also thank Lucrecia Novoa for her assistance with artwork and images. This work was supported by NIH/NIAID program grant 5P01AI073693-03.

1. Tetrode Fabrication
<ol>
	<li>Start by using insulated 12.5 &mu;m (0.0005") diameter core platinum-iridium wire from California Fine Wire. The length of the wire should be cut to the appropriate length for the target structure. For example, cut the wire to at least 30 cm long for targeting the dorsal subiculum or hippocampus.</li>
	<li>Fold the wire over at the center so that there are two parallel wires which will be 15 cm in length. Drape the midpoint of this wire over a horizontal arm to form four parallel wires ...

<ol>
	<li>Recce, M. L., O'Keefe, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+tetrode:+a+new+technique+for+multi-unit+extracellular+recording.">The tetrode: a new technique for multi-unit extracellular recording.</a> Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 15, 1250 (1989).</li><li>O'Keefe, J., Recce, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phase+relationship+between+hippocampal+place+units+and+the+EEG+theta+rhythm.">Phase relationship between hippocampal place units and the EEG theta rhythm.</a> Hippocampus. 3, 317-330 (1993).</li><li>Chen, G., Wang, L. P., Tsien, J. Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neural+population-level+memory+traces+in+the+mouse+hippocampus.">Neural population-level memory traces in the mouse hippocampus.</a> PLoS ONE. 4 (12), e8256 (2009).</li><li>Buzs&#225;ki, G., Anastassiou, C. A., Koch, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+origin+of+extracellular+fields+and+currents+--+EEG,+ECoG,+LFP,+and+spikes.">The origin of extracellular fields and currents -- EEG, ECoG, LFP, and spikes.</a> Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 13 (6), 407-420 (2012).</li><li>Tort, A. B., Kramer, M. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dynamic+cross-frequency+coupling+of+local+field+potential+oscillations+in+rat+striatum+and+hippocampus+during+performance+of+a+T-maze+task.">Dynamic cross-frequency coupling of local field potential oscillations in rat striatum and hippocampus during performance of a T-maze task.</a> Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 105 (51), 20517-20522 (2008).</li><li>Seidenbecher, T., Laxmi, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Amygdalar+and+hippocampal+theta+rhythm+synchronization+during+fear+memory+retrieval.">Amygdalar and hippocampal theta rhythm synchronization during fear memory retrieval.</a> Science. 301 (5634), 846-850 (2003).</li><li>Yamamoto, J., Wilson, M. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Large-scale+chronically+implantable+precision+motorized+microdrive+array+for+freely+behaving+animals.">Large-scale chronically implantable precision motorized microdrive array for freely behaving animals.</a> J. Neurophysiol. 100 (4), 2430-2440 (2008).</li><li>Harris, K. D., Henze, D. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Accuracy+of+tetrode+spike+separation+as+determined+by+simultaneous+intracellular+and+extracellular+measurements.">Accuracy of tetrode spike separation as determined by simultaneous intracellular and extracellular measurements.</a> J. Neurophysiol. 84 (1), 401-414 (2000).</li><li>Henze, D. A., Borhegyi, Z., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intracellular+features+predicted+by+extracellular+recordings+in+the+hippocampus+in+vivo.">Intracellular features predicted by extracellular recordings in the hippocampus in vivo.</a> J. Neurophysiol. 84 (1), 390-400 (2000).</li><li>Chang, E. H., Huerta, P. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neurophysiological+correlates+of+object+recognition+in+the+dorsal+subiculum.">Neurophysiological correlates of object recognition in the dorsal subiculum.</a> Front. Behav. Neurosci. 6, 46 (2012).</li><li>Gray, C. M., Maldonado, P. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tetrodes+markedly+improve+the+reliability+and+yield+of+multiple+single-unit+isolation+from+multi-unit+recordings+in+cat+striate+cortex.">Tetrodes markedly improve the reliability and yield of multiple single-unit isolation from multi-unit recordings in cat striate cortex.</a> J. Neurosci. Methods. 63 (1-2), 43-54 (1995).</li><li>O'Keefe, J., Dostrovsky, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+hippocampus+as+a+spatial+map.+Preliminary+evidence+from+unit+activity+in+the+freely-moving+rat.">The hippocampus as a spatial map. Preliminary evidence from unit activity in the freely-moving rat.</a> Brain Res. 34 (1), 171-175 (1971).</li><li>Wilson, M. A., McNaughton, B. L. <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+the+hippocampal+ensemble+code+for+space.">Dynamics of the hippocampal ensemble code for space.</a> Science. 261 (5124), 1055-1058 (1993).</li><li>Buzs&#225;ki, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Rhythms of the Brain. , (2006).</li><li>McHugh, T. J., Blum, K. I., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impaired+hippocampal+representation+of+space+in+CA1-specific+NMDAR1+knockout+mice.">Impaired hippocampal representation of space in CA1-specific NMDAR1 knockout mice.</a> Cell. 87 (7), 1339-1349 (1996).</li><li>Resnik, E., McFarland, J. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effects+of+GluA1+deletion+on+the+hippocampal+population+code+for+position.">The effects of GluA1 deletion on the hippocampal population code for position.</a> J. Neurosci. 32 (26), 8952-8968 (2012).</li><li>Cacucci, F., Yi, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Place+cell+firing+correlates+with+memory+deficits+and+amyloid+plaque+burden+in+Tg2576+Alzheimer+mouse+model.">Place cell firing correlates with memory deficits and amyloid plaque burden in Tg2576 Alzheimer mouse model.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 105 (22), 7863-7868 (2008).</li><li>Sigurdsson, T., Stark, K. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impaired+hippocampal-prefrontal+synchrony+in+a+genetic+mouse+model+of+schizophrenia.">Impaired hippocampal-prefrontal synchrony in a genetic mouse model of schizophrenia.</a> Nature. 464 (7289), 763-767 (2010).</li><li>Engel, A. K., Moll, C. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Invasive+recordings+from+the+human+brain:+clinical+insights+and+beyond.">Invasive recordings from the human brain: clinical insights and beyond.</a> Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 6 (1), 35-47 (2005).</li><li>Cash, S. S., Halgren, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+human+K-complex+represents+an+isolated+cortical+down-state.">The human K-complex represents an isolated cortical down-state.</a> Science. 324 (5930), 1084-1087 (2009).</li></ol>

We have described a set of techniques for constructing light and compact microdrives for the recording of extracellular unit and field potential activity in mice. By building custom microdrives with bases fashioned from acrylic glass (methyl methacrylate), the core system can be easily adapted for multiple drives and for the targeting of a wide array of neural regions. We have successfully modified the system for recording from multiple brain targets and with larger arrays for recordings in mice. With further modif...

The use of the microelectrode technique for recording extracellular neural signals in vivo has a long and valued tradition in neuroscience 1, 2. The ability to record electrical activity from many brain regions in freely behaving animals is, however, a more recent technology that is becoming increasingly common as the software packages for the acquisition, analysis and discrimination of neural signals becomes more sophisticated and user-friendly 3, 4. The technological advances on the software side have also been accompanied by reductions in the weight and bulk of the implantable devices, which have been scaled down sufficiently for recording in small mammals, such as mice. By using lightweight (mostly plastic) components, researchers are able to construct microdrives that allow for independent positioning of electrodes or tetrodes to target a wide variety of brain regions 5-7. Even deep brain structures, such as the amygdala 6 and the striatum 5, can be routinely targeted with the selection of an appropriately long drive screw. These recording techniques allow researchers to obtain high-fidelity neural signals and are in register with the electrical activity of single neurons recorded intracellularly 8, 9. Using these types of microdrives, we have successfully recorded single-units from mice for up to two months after implantation 10. In addition, the lightweight nature of the devices (approximately 1.5-2.0 g) has resulted in behavioral performance that is comparable to non-implanted mice in many behavioral tasks. In particular, we have demonstrated that implanted mice exhibit normal performance in the novel object recognition task 10 and the object place task (unpublished data).	
	The use of microdrives coupled to multiple tetrodes allows researchers to monitor and analyze neural activity at the network level while also recording from multiple single-units within the brain. Recording with these tetrodes has several major advantages for unit identification purposes and enables the high accuracy acquisition and discrimination of multiple single-units 11. We describe how to fabricate and gold-plate tetrode bundles and then subsequently load them into driveable electrode carriers. One type of drive carrier we describe is commercially available and the other is a simple, but easily expandable, drive design that can accommodate multiple carriers and tetrode arrangements without a significant investment of resources.

<table border="1">
		<tbody>
		 <tr>
			<td>Name of Reagent/Material</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>0.0005" (12.5 &mu;M) diameter Platinum-Iridium wire </td>
			<td>California Fine Wire</td>
			<td>CFW#100-167</td>
			<td>HML VG insulated <a href="http://www.calfinewire.com" target="_blank">www.calfinewire.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>0.002" (50 &mu;M) diameter Stableohm 675 wire</td>
			<td>California Fine Wire</td>
			<td>CFW# 100-188</td>
			<td>HML insulated Ni-Cr</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>polyamide tubing</td>
			<td>Polymicro Technologies</td>
			<td>1068150020</td>
			<td>99 micron I.D., 166 micron O.D. <a href="http://www.polymicro.com" target="_blank">www.polymicro.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>brass guides</td>
			<td>World Plastics Inc</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>3.3 x 6.6 mm</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Delrin blocks</td>
			<td>World Plastics Inc</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>3.13 x 2.5 mm</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Fillister head brass screws</td>
			<td>J.I. Morris Co.</td>
			<td>00-90 x 1/2</td>
			<td>drive screw <a href="http://www.jimorrisco.com" target="_blank">www.jimorrisco.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>hex brass nuts</td>
			<td>J.I. Morris Co.</td>
			<td>00-90</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>Fillister head brass screws</td>
			<td>J.I. Morris Co.</td>
			<td>000-120 x 3/32</td>
			<td>EIB mount and ground screw</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>plexiglass acrylic</td>
			<td>Canal Street Plastics</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>5 mm thick, clear, <a href="http://www.cpcnyc.com" target="_blank"> www.cpcnyc.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>cyanoacrylate</td>
			<td>Krazy Glue</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>2 g tube</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>electronic interface board</td>
			<td>Neuralynx</td>
			<td>EIB-18</td>
			<td><a href="http://www.neuralynx.com" target="_blank">www.neuralynx.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>non-cyanide gold solution</td>
			<td>SIFCO</td>
			<td>SIFCO 5355</td>
			<td><a href="http://www.sifcoasc.com" target="_blank">www.sifcoasc.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>VersaDrive 4</td>
			<td>Neuralynx</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>four tetrode model</td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>tetrode assembly station</td>
			<td>Neuralynx</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>motorized tetrode spinner</td>
			<td>Neuralynx</td>
			<td>tetrode spinner 2.0</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>VersaDrive jig</td>
			<td>Neuralynx </td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>soldering iron</td>
			<td>Radio Shack </td>
			<td>64-2802B</td>
			<td><a href="http://www.radioshack.com" target="_blank">www.radioshack.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>nanoZ</td>
			<td>Neuralynx</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>small bit drill/driver</td>
			<td>Ram Products </td>
			<td>Rampower 35</td>
			<td>with footpedal controller, <a href="http://www.ramprodinc.com" target="_blank">www.ramprodinc.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>drill bits</td>
			<td>Small Parts, Inc.</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>3/32" bits, <a href="http://www.smallpartsinc.com" target="_blank">www.smallpartsinc.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>dissecting microscope</td>
			<td>Olympus </td>
			<td>SZ-60</td>
			<td><a href="http://www.olympusamerica.com" target="_blank">www.olympusamerica.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>heat gun</td>
			<td>Alphawire</td>
			<td>Fit gun 3</td>
			<td>use setting "1" only, <a href="http://www.alphawire.com" target="_blank">www.alphawire.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>26 AWG copper wire</td>
			<td>Arcor Electronics</td>
			<td>F26</td>
			<td>for ground wires, <a href="http://www.arcorelectronics.com" target="_blank"> www.arcorelectronics.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>soldering flux</td>
			<td>Eagle</td>
			<td>2 oz, #205</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>0.02" diameter solder</td>
			<td>Kester</td>
			<td>24-6337-0010</td>
			<td><a href="http://www.kester.com" target="_blank"> www.kester.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>benchtop vise</td>
			<td>Vacu-Vise</td>
			<td>Model 300</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>fiber optic light</td>
			<td>Nikon </td>
			<td>MKII</td>
			<td>dual light arms, <a href="http://www.nikon.com" target="_blank"> www.nikon.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>5-min epoxy</td>
			<td>Allied Electronics</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>25 ml, <a href="http://www.alliedelec.com" target="_blank"> www.alliedelec.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>fine tweezers</td>
			<td>Roboz Surgical Instrument Co.</td>
			<td>RS-4907, RS-5010</td>
			<td>INOX material, <a href="http://www.roboz.com" target="_blank"> www.roboz.com</a></td>
		 </tr>
		 <tr>
			<td>micro dissecting scissors</td>
			<td>Roboz Surgical Instrument Co.</td>
			<td>RS-5880</td>
			<td></td>
		 </tr>
		</tbody>
 </table>
 Table 1. Materials and reagents used for constructing tetrodes and microdrives.

construction of microdrive arrays for chronic neural recordings in awake behaving mice

State-of-the-art electrophysiological recordings from the brains of freely behaving animals allow researchers to simultaneously examine local field potentials (LFPs) from populations of neurons and action potentials from individual cells, as the animal engages in experimentally relevant tasks. Chronically implanted microdrives allow for brain recordings to last over periods of several weeks. Miniaturized drives and lightweight components allow for these long-term recordings to occur in small mammals, such as mice. By using tetrodes, which consist of tightly braided bundles of four electrodes in which each wire has a diameter of 12.5 &mu;m, it is possible to isolate physiologically active neurons in superficial brain regions such as the cerebral cortex, dorsal hippocampus, and subiculum, as well as deeper regions such as the striatum and the amygdala. Moreover, this technique insures stable, high-fidelity neural recordings as the animal is challenged with a variety of behavioral tasks. This manuscript describes several techniques that have been optimized to record from the mouse brain. First, we show how to fabricate tetrodes, load them into driveable tubes, and gold-plate their tips in order to reduce their impedance from M&Omega; to K&Omega; range. Second, we show how to construct a custom microdrive assembly for carrying and moving the tetrodes vertically, with the use of inexpensive materials. Third, we show the steps for assembling a commercially available microdrive (Neuralynx VersaDrive) that is designed to carry independently movable tetrodes. Finally, we present representative results of local field potentials and single-unit signals obtained in the dorsal subiculum of mice. These techniques can be easily modified to accommodate different types of electrode arrays and recording schemes in the mouse brain.

After implanting the microdrive and lowering the electrodes to the intended brain targets, an amplified data acquisition system, such as a Neuralynx Lynx-8, is needed for recording neural signals. Representative neural recordings of local field potentials (LFPs) and single-unit action potentials (often termed "spikes") from the mouse dorsal subiculum are shown in Figure 2. LFP signals were sampled at 3 kHz and band-pass filtered between 0.1-500 Hz (Figure 2A and 2B...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Construction of Microdrive Arrays for Chronic Neural Recordings in Awake Behaving Mice at JoVE.com

Construction of Microdrive Arrays for Chronic Neural Recordings in Awake Behaving Mice

The design and assembly of microdrives for in vivo electrophysiological recordings of brain signals from the mouse is described. By attaching microelectrode bundles to sturdy driveable carriers, these techniques allow for long-term and stable neural recordings. The lightweight design allows for unrestricted behavioral performance by the animal following drive implantation.

State-of-the-art electrophysiological recordings from the brains of freely behaving animals allow researchers to simultaneously examine local field ...

construction-microdrive-arrays-for-chronic-neural-recordings-awake

Research

JoVE Journal

Behavior

Long-term Potentiation of Perforant Pathway-dentate Gyrus Synapse in Freely Behaving Mice

Studies of long-term potentiation of synaptic efficacy, an activity-dependent synaptic phenomenon having properties that make it attractive as a potential cellular mechanism underlying learning and information storage, have long been used to elucidate the physiology of various neuronal circuits in the hippocampus, amygdala, and other limbic and cortical structures. With this in mind, transgenic mouse models of neurological diseases represent useful platforms to conduct long-term&#160;potentiation (LTP) studies to develop a greater understanding of the role of genes in normal and abnormal synaptic communication in neuronal networks involved in learning, emotion and information processing. This article describes methodologies for reliably inducing LTP in the freely behaving mouse. These methodologies can be used in studies of transgenic and knockout freely&#160;behaving mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases.

Transgenic and knockout mouse models of neurological diseases are useful for studying the role of genes in normal and abnormal neurophysiology. This article describes methodologies which can be used to study long-term potentiation, a cellular mechanism which may underlie learning and memory, in transgenic and knockout freely&#160;behaving mouse models of neuropathology.

Studies of long-term potentiation of synaptic efficacy, an activity-dependent synaptic phenomenon having properties that make it attractive as a potential ...

Automated, Quantitative Cognitive/Behavioral Screening of Mice: For Genetics, Pharmacology, Animal Cognition and Undergraduate Instruction

We describe a high-throughput, high-volume, fully automated, live-in 24/7 behavioral testing system for assessing the effects of genetic and pharmacological manipulations on basic mechanisms of cognition and learning in mice. A standard polypropylene mouse housing tub is connected through an acrylic tube to a standard commercial mouse test box. The test box has 3 hoppers, 2 of which are connected to pellet feeders. All are internally illuminable with an LED and monitored for head entries by infrared (IR) beams. Mice live in the environment, which eliminates handling during screening. They obtain their food during two or more daily feeding periods by performing in operant (instrumental) and Pavlovian (classical) protocols, for which we have written protocol-control software and quasi-real-time data analysis and graphing software. The data analysis and graphing routines are written in a MATLAB-based language created to simplify greatly the analysis of large time-stamped behavioral and physiological event records and to preserve a full data trail from raw data through all intermediate analyses to the published graphs and statistics within a single data structure. The data-analysis code harvests the data several times a day and subjects it to statistical and graphical analyses, which are automatically stored in the &#34;cloud&#34; and on in-lab computers. Thus, the progress of individual mice is visualized and quantified daily. The data-analysis code talks to the protocol-control code, permitting the automated advance from protocol to protocol of individual subjects. The behavioral protocols implemented are matching, autoshaping, timed hopper-switching, risk assessment in timed hopper-switching, impulsivity measurement, and the circadian anticipation of food availability. Open-source protocol-control and data-analysis code makes the addition of new protocols simple. Eight test environments fit in a 48 in x 24 in x 78 in&#160;cabinet; two such cabinets (16 environments) may be controlled by one computer.

Fully automated system for measuring physiologically meaningful properties of the mechanisms mediating spatial localization, temporal localization, duration, rate&#160;and probability estimation, risk assessment, impulsivity, and the accuracy and precision of memory, in order to assess the effects of genetic and pharmacological manipulations on foundational mechanisms of cognition in mice.

We describe a high-throughput, high-volume, fully automated, live-in 24/7 behavioral testing system for assessing the effects of genetic and ...

Cortical Source Analysis of High-Density EEG Recordings in Children

EEG is traditionally described as a neuroimaging technique with high temporal and low spatial resolution. Recent advances in biophysical modelling and signal processing make it possible to exploit information from other imaging modalities like structural MRI that provide high spatial resolution to overcome this constraint1. This is especially useful for investigations that require high resolution in the temporal as well as spatial domain. In addition, due to the easy application and low cost of EEG recordings, EEG is often the method of choice when working with populations, such as young children, that do not tolerate functional MRI scans well. However, in order to investigate which neural substrates are involved, anatomical information from structural MRI is still needed. Most EEG analysis packages work with standard head models that are based on adult anatomy. The accuracy of these models when used for children is limited2, because the composition and spatial configuration of head tissues changes dramatically over development3.&#160;
In the present paper, we provide an overview of our recent work in utilizing head models based on individual structural MRI scans or age specific head models to reconstruct the cortical generators of high density EEG. This article describes how&#160;EEG recordings are acquired, processed, and analyzed with pediatric populations at the London Baby Lab, including laboratory setup, task design, EEG preprocessing, MRI processing, and EEG channel level and source analysis.&#160;

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in estimating the cortical sources of scalp measured electrical activity for cognitive neuroscience experiments. This article describes how high density EEG is acquired and how recordings are processed for cortical source estimation in children from the age of 2 years at the London Baby Lab.

EEG is traditionally described as a neuroimaging technique with high temporal and low spatial resolution. Recent advances in biophysical modelling and ...

A Novel Experimental and Analytical Approach to the Multimodal Neural Decoding of Intent During Social Interaction in Freely-behaving Human Infants

Understanding typical and atypical development remains one of the fundamental questions in developmental human neuroscience. Traditionally, experimental paradigms and analysis tools have been limited to constrained laboratory tasks and contexts due to technical limitations imposed by the available set of measuring and analysis techniques and the age of the subjects. These limitations severely limit the study of developmental neural dynamics and associated neural networks engaged in cognition, perception and action in infants performing &#8220;in action and in context&#8221;. This protocol presents a novel approach to study infants and young children as they freely organize their own behavior, and its consequences in a complex, partly unpredictable and highly dynamic environment. The proposed methodology integrates synchronized high-density active scalp electroencephalography (EEG), inertial measurement units (IMUs), video recording and behavioral analysis to capture brain activity and movement non-invasively in freely-behaving infants. This setup allows for the study of neural network dynamics in the developing brain, in action and context, as these networks are recruited during goal-oriented, exploration and social interaction tasks.

This protocol presents a novel methodology for the neural decoding of intent from freely-behaving infants during unscripted social interaction with an actor. Neural activity is acquired using non-invasive high-density active scalp electroencephalography (EEG). Kinematic data is collected with inertial measurement units and supplemented with synchronized video recording.

Understanding typical and atypical development remains one of the fundamental questions in developmental human neuroscience. Traditionally, experimental ...

A Pressure Injection System for Investigating the Neuropharmacology of Information Processing in Awake Behaving Macaque Monkey Cortex

The top-down modulation of feed-forward cortical information processing is functionally important for many cognitive processes, including the modulation of sensory information processing by attention. However, little is known about which neurotransmitter systems are involved in such modulations. A practical way to address this question is to combine single-cell recording with local and temporary neuropharmacological manipulation in a suitable animal model. Here we demonstrate a technique combining acute single-cell recordings with the injection of neuropharmacological agents in the direct vicinity of the recording electrode. The video shows the preparation of the pressure injection/recording system, including preparation of the substance to be injected. We show a rhesus monkey performing a visual attention task and the procedure of single-unit recording with block-wise pharmacological manipulations.

Here, we show the pressure injection of neuropharmacological substances during single-cell recording in an awake, behaving macaque monkey. This procedure allows pharmacological manipulation in the direct vicinity of a cortical recording site.

The top-down modulation of feed-forward cortical information processing is functionally important for many cognitive processes, including the modulation ...

Using Laser Doppler Imaging and Monitoring to Analyze Spinal Cord Microcirculation in Rat

Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) is a noninvasive method for blood flow (BF) measurement, which makes it preferable for measuring microcirculatory alterations of the spinal cord. In this article, our goal was to use both Laser Doppler imaging and monitoring to analyze the change of BF after spinal cord injury. Both the laser Doppler image scanner and the probe/monitor were being employed to obtain each readout. The data of LDPI provided a local distribution of BF, which gave an overview of perfusion around the injury site and made it accessible for comparative analysis of BF among different locations. By intensely measuring the probing area over a period of time, a combined probe was used to simultaneously measure the BF and oxygen saturation of the spinal cord, showing overall spinal cord perfusion and oxygen supply. LDF itself has a few limitations, such as relative flux, sensitivity to movement, and biological zero signal. However, the technology has been applied in clinical and experimental study due to its simple setup and rapid measurement of BF.

Here we present a combination of laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI) and laser Doppler perfusion monitoring (LDPM) to measure spinal cord local blood flows and oxygen saturation (SO2), as well as a standardized procedure for introducing spinal cord trauma on rat.

Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) is a noninvasive method for blood flow (BF) measurement, which makes it preferable for measuring microcirculatory ...

A Wireless, Bidirectional Interface for In Vivo Recording and Stimulation of Neural Activity in Freely Behaving Rats

In vivo electrophysiology is a powerful technique to investigate the relationship between brain activity and behavior at a millisecond and micrometer scale. However, current methods mostly rely on tethered cable recordings or only use unidirectional systems, allowing either recording or stimulation of neural activity, but not at the same time or same target. Here, a new wireless, bidirectional device for simultaneous multichannel recording and stimulation of neural activity in freely behaving rats is described. The system operates through a single portable head stage that both transmits recorded activity and can be targeted in real-time for brain stimulation using a telemetry-based multichannel software. The head stage is equipped with a preamplifier and a rechargeable battery, allowing stable long-term recordings or stimulation for up to 1 h. Importantly, the head stage is compact, weighs 12 g (including battery) and thus has minimal impact on the animal&#180;s behavioral repertoire, making the method applicable to a broad set of behavioral tasks. Moreover, the method has the major advantage that the effect of brain stimulation on neural activity and behavior can be measured simultaneously, providing a tool to assess the causal relationships between specific brain activation patterns and behavior. This feature makes the method particularly valuable for the field of deep brain stimulation, allowing precise assessment, monitoring, and adjustment of stimulation parameters during long-term behavioral experiments. The applicability of the system has been validated using the inferior colliculus as a model structure.

A Wireless, Bidirectional Interface for In Vivo Recording and Stimulation of Neural Activity in Freely Behaving Rats

A wireless, bidirectional system for multi-channel neural recordings and stimulation in freely behaving rats is introduced. The system is light and compact, thus having minimal impact on the animal&#180;s behavioral repertoire. Moreover, this bidirectional system provides a sophisticated tool to assess causal relationships between brain activation patterns and behavior.

In vivo electrophysiology is a powerful technique to investigate the relationship between brain activity and behavior at a millisecond and micrometer ...

A Behavioral Assay for Investigating the Role of Spatial Memory During Instinctive Defense in Mice

Evolution has selected a repertoire of defensive behaviors that are essential for survival across all animal species. These behaviors are often stereotyped actions elicited in response to innately aversive sensory stimuli, but their success requires enough flexibility for adapting to different spatial environments, which can change rapidly. Here, we describe a behavioral assay to evaluate the influence of learned spatial knowledge on defensive behaviors in mice. We have adapted the widely used Barnes maze spatial memory assay to investigate how mice navigate to a shelter during escape responses to innately aversive sensory stimuli in a novel environment, and how they adapt to acute changes in the environment. This new assay is an ethological paradigm that does not require training and exploits the natural exploration patterns and navigation strategies in mice. We propose that the set of protocols described here are a powerful means of studying goal-directed behaviors and stimulus-triggered navigation, which should be of interest to both the fields of instinctive behaviors and spatial memory.

This protocol describes a behavioral assay, based on the Barnes maze test, to study how instinctive defensive actions are modified by the knowledge of spatial environment.

Evolution has selected a repertoire of defensive behaviors that are essential for survival across all animal species. These behaviors are often ...

The Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Inducing Anhedonia in Mice

Depression is a highly prevalent and debilitating condition, only partially addressed by current pharmacotherapies. The lack of response to treatment by many patients prompts the need to develop new therapeutic alternatives and to better understand the etiology of the disorder. Pre-clinical models with translational merits are rudimentary for this task. Here we present a protocol for the unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) method in mice. In this protocol, adolescent mice are chronically exposed to interchanging unpredictable mild stressors. Resembling the pathogenesis of depression in humans, stress exposure during the sensitive period of mice adolescence instigates a depressive-like phenotype evident in adulthood. UCMS can be used for screenings of antidepressants on the variety of depressive-like behaviors and neuromolecular indices. Among the more prominent tests to assess depressive-like behavior in rodents is the sucrose preference test (SPT), which reflects anhedonia (core symptom of depression). The SPT will also be presented in this protocol. The ability of UCMS to induce anhedonia, instigate long-term behavioral deficits and enable reversal of these deficits via chronic (but not acute) treatment with antidepressants strengthens the protocol&#39;s validity compared to other animal protocols for inducing depressive-like behaviors.

Here we present the unpredictable chronic mild stress protocol in mice. This protocol induces a long-term depressive-like phenotype and enables to assess the efficacy of putative antidepressants in reversing the behavioral and neuromolecular depressive-like deficits.

Depression is a highly prevalent and debilitating condition, only partially addressed by current pharmacotherapies. The lack of response to treatment by ...

Novel Object Recognition and Object Location Behavioral Testing in Mice on a Budget

Ethologically relevant behavioral testing is a critical component of any study that uses mouse models to study the cognitive effects of various physiological or pathological changes. The object location task (OLT) and the novel object recognition task (NORT) are two effective behavioral tasks commonly used to reveal the function and relative health of specific brain regions involved in memory. While both of these tests exploit the inherent preference of mice for the novelty to reveal memory for previously encountered objects, the OLT primarily evaluates spatial learning, which relies heavily on hippocampal activity. The NORT, in contrast, evaluates non-spatial learning of object identity, which relies on multiple brain regions. Both tasks require an open-field-testing arena, objects with equivalent intrinsic value to mice, appropriate environmental cues, and video recording equipment and the software. Commercially available systems, while convenient, can be costly. This manuscript details a simple, cost-effective method for building the arenas and setting up the equipment necessary to perform the OLT and NORT. Furthermore, the manuscript describes an efficient testing protocol that incorporates both OLT and NORT and provides typical methods for data acquisition and analysis, as well as representative results. Successful completion of these tests can provide valuable insight into the memory function of various mouse model systems and appraise the underlying neural regions that support these functions.

Here we provide a protocol which includes comprehensive instructions for the economical establishment of murine object location and novel object recognition behavioral testing, including the design, cost, and construction of required equipment as well as execution of behavioral testing, data collection, and analysis.