Name: chronic implantation of whole-cortical electrocorticographic array in the common marmoset
Uploaded: 2019-02-01T15:00:00.000+00:00
Duration: 4 min 43 s
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Chronic Implantation of Whole-cortical Electrocorticographic Array in the Common Marmoset at JoVE.com

We thank Yuri Shinomoto for providing animal care, training, and awake recordings. The ECoG arrays were manufactured by Cir-Tech (www.cir-tech.co.jp). Furthermore, we would like to thank Editage (www.editage.jp) for English language editing. This work was supported by the Brain Mapping by Integrated Neurotechnologies for Disease Studies (Brain/MINDS), the Japan Agency for Medical Research and development (AMED) (JP18dm0207001), the Brain Science Project of the Center for Novel Science Initiatives (CNSI), the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) (BS291004, M.K.), and by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI (JP17H06034, M.K.).

This protocol has been performed on 6 common marmosets (4 males, 2 females; body weight = 320-470 g; age = 14-53 months). All procedures were carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the National Institutes of Health Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The protocol was approved by the RIKEN Ethical Committee (No. H28-2-221(3)). All surgical procedures were performed under anesthesia, and all efforts were made to minimize the number of animals used as well as their discomfort.
1. Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Obtain a structural magnetic resonance image (MRI) of each individual brain. This will be used to identify electrode positions through registration with a marmoset brain atlas and computer tomography (CT).</li>
	<li>Preparation of the ECoG array: prepare a customized multichannel ECoG array (Figure 1A). A 96ch ECoG array consists of two sheets with 32 and 64 electrodes. To accommodate individual differences in brain size, the ECoG array has a flexible arm. The arm can cover the temporal pole, depending on individual brain shape. Place the reference electrodes facing opposite to the ECoG electrodes and the ground electrodes facing the same direction.
	<ol>
		<li>Assemble the ECoG array with a connector case (Figure 1B) and seal gaps of connector (Figure 1C) using acrylic glue to prevent the inflow of liquid during surgery. Sterilize the array with ethylene oxide gas.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Prepare and sterilize instruments. 
	NOTE: All instruments used are listed in the Table of Materials.</li>
</ol>
2. Implantation of ECoG Array
NOTE: Withdraw ingestion of food and liquids greater than 4 h prior to surgery. Perform all surgical steps with aseptic technique using sterilized gloves and instruments.
<ol>
	<li>Pre-implant procedures
	<ol>
		<li>Induce anesthesia in the marmoset by intramuscular (i.m.) injection of ketamine (15 mg/kg) 5 min after i.m. atropine (0.08 mg/kg) injection.</li>
		<li>Anesthetize and maintain anesthesia using isoflurane (1-3% diluted with a mixture of oxygen/nitrous oxide)&#160;depending on the physiological state of the animal, which should be continuously monitored. Ensure that heart rate is 130-180 BPM and monitor body temperature and arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) continuously to judge the animal&#8217;s condition.</li>
		<li>Shave the top of the animal&#8217;s head with clippers and a hair remover. Fully rinse hair-removal cream off the skin with wet gauze, or it will cause skin damage.</li>
		<li>Administer an antibiotic (cefovecin; 16 mg/kg s.c.), antihypertensive (furosemide; 2.0 mg/kg i.m.), and antihemorrhagic (carbazochrome sodium sulfonate hydrate; 0.2 mg/kg i.m.).</li>
		<li>Place the animal on a stereotaxic frame. At this time, apply 2% lidocaine jelly to the ear-bars and ophthalmic ointment to the eyes to prevent dryness and postoperative pain.</li>
		<li>Disinfect the surgical area with iodine solution and cover it with sterilized drapes.&#160;Apply 2% lidocaine jelly to the place of the skin incision.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Implantation procedures
	<ol>
		<li>Incise skin about 4 cm through the midline of the scalp with a scalpel. Detach the temporal muscle from the skull with a curette until all of the surgical area is exposed. Clean out tissues on the skull surface and stop the bleeding completely with pressure hemostasis, and with bone wax, if necessary. Wrap the edge of the skin and muscles with moistened gauze. Keep the gauze moistened during surgery.</li>
		<li>Place the frontal edge of the array onto the edge of the frontal pole. Mark a planned area for the craniotomy, slits, and holes on the skull with a sterile pencil. The craniotomy location will depend on the design of the array (Figure 2).</li>
		<li>Drill the craniotomy along mark 1, as shown in Figure 2. While drilling the bone, blow air at the cutting edge to maintain a clear view for the surgeon. Next, cut the bone all the way around mark 2, as the bone piece will still be attached to dura at the center. Lift the piece up gently from one edge and peel off the dura with a spatula. This process must be conducted slowly and carefully, or it will tear the dura easily.
		<ol>
			<li>Remove the bone tips from the bone piece and wrap the piece with moistened gauze, as this piece will be returned after implanting the array.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Perform craniotomy 3 and 4 as shown in Figure 2. These allow the insertion of electrodes into the orbitofrontal and occipital areas, respectively.</li>
		<li>Drill slits on mark 5 as shown in Figure 2. These slits allow examination of the array to ensure that it is properly inserted.</li>
		<li>The dura will now be exposed. Wash the area with saline and stop the bleeding with pressure hemostasis and a gelatin sponge, if necessary. The edge of the open craniotomy may need to be cleaned with a curette or bone rongeur.</li>
		<li>Make the slits (marked 6 in Figure 2) into which the reference electrodes are placed. Place the reference electrodes in the epidural space at the contra-lateral sensorimotor and occipital areas. The position should be determined according to specific experimental needs.</li>
		<li>Drill screw holes at four points around each stem of the connector with a 1.0 mm screw (crosses in Figure 2). To prevent damage to the dura matter, insert a spatula under the skull. These holes should be orthogonal against the skull. Then, install PEEK screws (1.4 x 2.5 mm) as anchors to fix the connector to the skull.</li>
		<li>Insert the ECoG array into the epidural space. Use flathead forceps to hold the array. 
		NOTE: The array should be inserted without bending. If the array is bent, create an appropriate space by inserting a spatula between the skull and dura. If the bending was caused by the relatively small size of the brain, cut off some of the electrodes.</li>
		<li>Fix the reference and ground electrodes with a dental acrylic. Place the reference electrodes in the epidural space and ground electrodes on the cranial surface. Both contacts should face the skull.</li>
		<li>Put the bone piece back and fix the connector and head post to the skull with dental acrylic on the screws.</li>
		<li>Suture the skin with 6-0 nylon at the forehead and rear head, and fix the skin to the sides of the connector using skin closures.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Post-implantation procedures
	<ol>
		<li>Remove the animal from the stereotaxic frame. Ensure that the animal is kept warm and provided with oxygen during the following steps.</li>
		<li>Immediately after surgery, inject the animal with meloxicam (0.3 mg/kg i.m.) to decrease postoperative pain. Administer an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid (dexamethasone; 2.0 mg/kg i.m.) and subcutaneous infusion (lactated Ringer&#8217;s solution; 5.0 mL), including famotidine (0.5 mg/kg) as a gastroprotectant. 
		NOTE: A concurrent use of NSAIDs with steroids has a potential for gastrointestinal side effects.</li>
		<li>After the animal has recovered (confirm by heart rate and SpO2), remove vital sign monitoring and transfer the animal into the ICU for 2-3 days.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
3. Postoperative Treatment
NOTE: It typically takes 5 days for animals to recover completely from the surgery.
<ol>
	<li>To prevent brain swelling, administer the anti-inflammatory corticosteroid dexamethasone (2.0 mg/kg) twice a day on the first day after surgery. Then, reduce the dose to 1.5 mg/kg twice a day on the second and third days, and 1 mg/kg twice a day on the fourth day.</li>
	<li>Administer pain relief (meloxicam; 0.1 mg/kg oral; once a day) and an antihemorrhagic (carbazochrome sodium sulfonate hydrate; 0.2 mg/kg i.m.; twice a day) for 5 days after surgery. 
	NOTE: In our case, 1-2 days after the surgery, some marmosets (3 out of 6) became less active and vomited. This may have been caused by increased intracranial pressure due to a blood clot. When marmosets presented these symptoms, we reopened the head and removed the clot under general anesthesia (alfaxalone). If there was no bending of the ECoG array during the implantation, the blood clot was likely in the space between the array and where the bone piece was returned. In this case, the blood clot can be washed away by running saline into the space using a catheter. This procedure usually leads to recovery in the animal.</li>
	<li>Identification of electrode locations
	<ol>
		<li>Around 1 week after surgery, perform a computer tomography (CT) scan of the animal&#8217;s head. 
		NOTE: This is a good opportunity to check if signals can be recorded properly. Open the connector case and remove any blood clots if they are present.</li>
		<li>Align T2-weighted MRI to stereotaxic coordinates using AFNI software18 (https://afni.nimh.nih.gov) (Figure 3A). Align the CT image to T2-weighted anatomical magnetic resonance images with AFNI (Figure 3B). Register a marmoset brain atlas to MRI (Figure 3C) with AFNI and ANTS19.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

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MK is applying for a patent on whole-cortical ECoG array she have used in this protocol (No. 2018-210975).

For successful implantation, animals should be provided with adequate nutrition before and after surgery. Short operating time is also important to optimize the animal&#39;s recovery. Preparations should be finished at least one day before surgery. To reduce operating time, previous craniotomy training with electrode array insertion in terminated animals for other experimental purposes is recommended.&#160;Table 1 shows an example of the time course for this protocol.
We modified the anesthesia procedure and post-operative treatment on a case-by-case basis. In this video protocol, the animals were anesthetized and maintained using a mixture of isoflurane and oxygen delivered through tracheal intubation. Isoflurane can be replaced with sevoflurane, and tracheal intubation can be replaced with a mask. In other cases, we anesthetized animals with intramuscular injection of a mixture of ketamine and medetomidine. In this case, animals were initially sedated with butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg i.m.), and surgical anesthesia was achieved with a mixture of ketamine (30 mg/kg i.m.) and medetomidine (0.35 mg/kg i.m.).
Because ECoG directly records changes in electrical fields, its temporal resolution is limited by the recording system. The maximum time resolution of our recording system is 30 kHz. We usually sampled signals at a 1 kHz sampling rate and have found this to be sufficient for extraction of sensory/motor information.
Spatial resolution is dependent on electrode design. In this protocol, each electrode contact was 0.8 mm in diameter and had an inter-electrode distance of 2.5 mm. We observed different waveforms from three electrodes located in different auditory areas and separated by 2.5 mm (ch18, ch19, ch20 in Figure 4). Thus, the spatial resolution of our electrodes is estimated to be less than 2.5 mm. In some cases, electrode contacts were located more closely to each other. In these cases, the spatial resolution was finer.
We successfully recorded long-term, neuronal signals with good quality. In one case, the connector and dental acrylic were detached from the skull, and the electrode was broken 4 months after the surgery. This was caused by tissue growth due to blood being contained between the dental acrylic and skull during surgery. Another marmoset was terminated due to an experimental requirement 5 months after the surgery. Four animals are still participating in experiments (1 year, 7 months, 4 months, and 4 months after the surgery, respectively).
ECoG arrays are typically implanted in the subdural space in humans and macaques. However, less invasive epidural implantations are more suited to marmosets, because they are delicate animals. The thin dura matter of marmosets allowed us to monitor high-frequency brain signals, even if the ECoG array was implanted on the dura. One of the disadvantages of epidural implantation is difficulty accessing the midline cortex and any cortex within a sulcus. Approaching these cortices requires incision of the dura matter. Furthermore, because ECoG arrays are surface electrodes, it is difficult to specify the signal source in terms of cortical depth. In order to understand precise information processing in the cortex, it is necessary to include other methods, such as depth electrodes or optical imaging. Despite these limitations, our method can provide new insight into cortical information processing. For example, sensory agency has been believed to emerge through rapid interactions between frontal and sensory areas; however, their mechanisms remain unclear since this rapid, large-scale, cortical information flow is difficult to monitor without the method presented here.

Cognition requires the coordination of neural ensembles across widespread brain networks, particularly the neocortex that is well-developed in humans and believed to be involved in higher cognitive behaviors. However, how the neocortex achieves this cognitive behavior is an unsolved issue in the neuroscience field. Recent development of thin, flexible electrocorticographic (ECoG) electrodes enables conduction of stable recordings from large-scale cortical activity1. Fujii and colleagues have developed a whole-cortical ECoG array for macaque monkeys2,3. The array continuously covers almost the entire lateral cortex, from the occipital pole to the temporal and frontal poles, and captures whole-cortical neural activity in one shot. We have further developed this system for application in the common marmoset4,5, a small, new-world monkey with genetic manipulability6,7. This animal has several advantages compared to other species. The visual, auditory, somatosensory, motor, and frontal cortical areas of this species have been previously mapped and reported to have basic homologous organization to the same areas in humans and macaques8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16. Their brains are smooth, and most lateral cortical areas are exposed to the surface of the cortex, which is harder to access with ECoG in macaques. Based on these features, the marmoset is suitable for electrocorticographic studies. Furthermore, marmosets exhibit social behaviors and have been proposed to serve as a candidate model of human social behaviors17.
This protocol describes an epidural implantation procedure of the ECoG array on the whole lateral surface of the cortex in a common marmoset. It provides an opportunity to monitor large-scale cortical activity for primate cortical neuroscience, including sensory, motor, higher cognitive, and social domains.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Beaker (100 cc)</td><td></td><td></td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Cotton ball</td><td></td><td></td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Absorption triangles</td><td>Fine Science Tools Inc.</td><td>18105-03</td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Cotton swab with fine tip</td><td>Clean Cross Co., Ltd.</td><td>HUBY340 BB-013</td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Gauze</td><td></td><td></td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Towel forceps</td><td></td><td></td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Scalpel handle</td><td></td><td></td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Needle Holder</td><td></td><td></td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Iris Scissor</td><td></td><td></td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Micro-Mosquito Forceps</td><td></td><td></td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Adson, 1x2 teeth</td><td></td><td></td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Bone Curette</td><td></td><td></td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Micro spatura</td><td>Fine Science Tools Inc.</td><td>10091-12</td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Needle Holders, 12.5 cm, Curved, Smooth Jaws</td><td>World Precision Instruments</td><td>14132</td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Vessel Dilator, 12 cm, 0.1 mm tip</td><td>Fine Science Tools Inc.</td><td>18131-12</td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Vessel Dilator, 12 cm, 0.2 mm tip</td><td>Fine Science Tools Inc.</td><td>18132-12</td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Fine-tipped rongeur</td><td>Fine Science Tools Inc.</td><td>16221-14</td><td>Outocrave</td></tr><tr><td>Manipurator of a stereotaxic frame</td><td></td><td></td><td>Gas sterilization</td></tr><tr><td>Wrench for the manipurator</td><td></td><td></td><td>Gas sterilization</td></tr><tr><td>Hand-made fixture for the connector</td><td></td><td></td><td>Gas sterilization</td></tr><tr><td>Silicon cup for dental acril</td><td></td><td></td><td>Gas sterilization</td></tr><tr><td>Silicon cup hlder</td><td></td><td></td><td>Gas sterilization</td></tr><tr><td>Paintbrush</td><td></td><td></td><td>Gas sterilization</td></tr><tr><td>Pencil</td><td></td><td></td><td>Gas sterilization</td></tr><tr><td>Micro screw, 1.4 mm x 2.0 mm</td><td>Nippon Chemical Screw Co., Ltd.</td><td>PEEK/MPH-M1.4-L2</td><td>Gas sterilization</td></tr><tr><td>Screw driver for the micro screw</td><td></td><td></td><td>Gas sterilization</td></tr><tr><td>Micromotor handpiece of a drill</td><td></td><td></td><td>Gas sterilization</td></tr><tr><td>Stainless steel burr, 1.4 mm</td><td></td><td></td><td>Gas sterilization</td></tr><tr><td>Stainless steel burr, 1.0 mm</td><td></td><td></td><td>Gas sterilization</td></tr><tr><td>Drill bit, 1.2 mm</td><td></td><td></td><td>Gas sterilization</td></tr><tr><td>Rubber air blower</td><td></td><td></td><td>Gas sterilization</td></tr></tbody></table>

chronic implantation of whole-cortical electrocorticographic array in the common marmoset

Electrocorticography (ECoG) allows the monitoring of electrical field potentials from the cerebral cortex with high spatiotemporal resolution. Recent development of thin, flexible ECoG electrodes has enabled conduction of stable recordings of large-scale cortical activity. We have developed a whole-cortical ECoG array for the common marmoset. The array continuously covers almost the entire lateral surface of cortical hemisphere, from the occipital pole to the temporal and frontal poles, and it captures whole-cortical neural activity in one shot. This protocol describes a chronic implantation procedure of the array in the epidural space of the marmoset brain. Marmosets have two advantages regarding ECoG recordings, one being the homologous organization of anatomical structures in humans and macaques, including frontal, parietal, and temporal complexes. The other advantage is that the marmoset brain is lissencephalic and contains a large number of complexes, which are more difficult to access in macaques with ECoG, that are exposed to the brain surface.These features allow direct access to most cortical areas beneath the surface of the brain. This system provides an opportunity to investigate global cortical information processing with high resolutions at a sub-millisecond order in time and millimeter order in space.

The whole-cortical ECoG array can simultaneously capture neuronal activity from the entirety of a hemisphere. Figure 4 shows examples of auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) from multiple auditory areas in an awake marmoset. ECoG recordings were conducted in passive listening conditions. Each marmoset was exposed to auditory stimuli, which consisted of randomized pure tones with 20 types of frequency. Then, we calculated AEPs by averaging ECoGs aligned with onsets of the tones. Different wave forms were observed from lower and higher auditory areas, which indicates that the spatial resolution of our ECoG array can capture different information processing in different cortical areas.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/58980/58980fig1.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Preparation of an ECoG array. (A) 32 and 64 ECoG arrays (bottom left and right), a connector case (top left), and a front-end for the recording systems (top right). The &#34;G&#34; and &#34;R&#34; of each array indicate grand and reference electrodes, respectively. (B) Assembled ECoG array. (C) All gaps (red rectangles) should be sealed. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/58980/58980fig1large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 2" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/58980/58980fig2.jpg" /> 
Figure 2: An example of the craniotomy. (A) The thin gray and thick black lines indicate outlines of the ECoG array and the planned area of craniotomy, respectively. The crosses correspond to anchor holes. The circled number indicates the order of drilling. (B) An example CT image of the craniotomy. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/58980/58980fig2large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 3" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/58980/58980fig3.jpg" /> 
Figure 3: Localization of each electrode. (A) T2-weighted MRI, (B) CT, and (C) electrode locations on the atlas. The atlas used in this manuscript is the Woodward 3-D version based on the Hashikawa-atlas20, which is an MRI-cytoarchitectual map. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/58980/58980fig3large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 4" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/58980/58980fig4.jpg" /> 
Figure 4: Examples of auditory evoked potentials. (A) Auditory area of Monkey J. (B) Examples of AEPs. Electrodes located in different auditory areas show different wave forms. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/58980/58980fig4large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>9:00 a.m.</td>
			<td>Start preparations</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10:00 a.m.</td>
			<td>Incise skin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td>Exposure of skull (10 min)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td>Craniotomy (30 min)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>11:00 a.m.</td>
			<td>Start to insert the array</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td>Insert the array (60 min)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>12:30 p.m.</td>
			<td>Close skin</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>
Table 1: Recommended time course of the surgery.

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Chronic Implantation of Whole-cortical Electrocorticographic Array in the Common Marmoset

We have developed a whole-cortical electrocorticographic array for the common marmoset that continuously covers almost the entire lateral surface of cortex, from the occipital pole to the temporal and frontal poles. This protocol describes a chronic implantation procedure of the array in the epidural space of the marmoset brain.

Electrocorticography (ECoG) allows the monitoring of electrical field potentials from the cerebral cortex with high spatiotemporal resolution. Recent ...

chronic-implantation-whole-cortical-electrocorticographic-array

Nanyang Technological University

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

9.5K Views.  RIKEN Center for Brain Science. We have developed a whole-cortical electrocorticographic array for the common marmoset that continuously covers almost the entire lateral surface of cortex, from the occipital pole to the temporal and frontal poles. This protocol describes a chronic implantation procedure of the array in the epidural space of the marmoset brain.

Video: Chronic Implantation of Whole-cortical Electrocorticographic Array in the Common Marmoset

Multielectrode Array Recordings of the Vomeronasal Epithelium

Understanding neural circuits requires methods to record from many neurons simultaneously. For in vitro studies, one currently available technology is planar multielectrode array (MEA) recording. Here we document the use of MEAs to study the mouse vomeronasal organ (VNO), which plays an essential role in the detection of pheromones and social cues via a diverse population of sensory neurons expressing hundreds of types of receptors. Combining MEA recording with a robotic liquid handler to deliver chemical stimuli, the sensory responses of a large and diverse population of neurons can be recorded. The preparation allows us to remove the intact neuroepithelium of the VNO from the mouse and stimulate with a battery of chemicals or potential ligands while monitoring the electrical activity of the neurons for several hours. Therefore, this technique serves as a useful method for assessing ligand activity as well as exploring the properties of receptor neurons. We present the techniques needed to prepare the vomeronasal epithelium, MEA recording, and chemical stimulation.

Multielectrode array (MEA) recordings provide a method for studying the electrical activity of large populations of neurons. Here, we present the details of a MEA preparation to record from the mouse vomeronasal epithelium while simultaneously stimulating the tissue.

Understanding neural circuits requires methods to record from many neurons simultaneously. For in vitro studies, one currently available technology is ...

Modeling Neural Immune Signaling of Episodic and Chronic Migraine Using Spreading Depression In Vitro

Migraine and its transformation to chronic migraine are healthcare burdens in need of improved treatment options. We seek to define how neural immune signaling modulates the susceptibility to migraine, modeled in vitro using spreading depression (SD), as a means to develop novel therapeutic targets for episodic and chronic migraine. SD is the likely cause of migraine aura and migraine pain. It is a paroxysmal loss of neuronal function triggered by initially increased neuronal activity, which slowly propagates within susceptible brain regions. Normal brain function is exquisitely sensitive to, and relies on, coincident low-level immune signaling. Thus, neural immune signaling likely affects electrical activity of SD, and therefore migraine. Pain perception studies of SD in whole animals are fraught with difficulties, but whole animals are well suited to examine systems biology aspects of migraine since SD activates trigeminal nociceptive pathways. However, whole animal studies alone cannot be used to decipher the cellular and neural circuit mechanisms of SD. Instead, in vitro preparations where environmental conditions can be controlled are necessary. Here, it is important to recognize limitations of acute slices and distinct advantages of hippocampal slice cultures. Acute brain slices cannot reveal subtle changes in immune signaling since preparing the slices alone triggers: pro-inflammatory changes that last days, epileptiform behavior due to high levels of oxygen tension needed to vitalize the slices, and irreversible cell injury at anoxic slice centers. 
In contrast, we examine immune signaling in mature hippocampal slice cultures since the cultures closely parallel their in vivo counterpart with mature trisynaptic function; show quiescent astrocytes, microglia, and cytokine levels; and SD is easily induced in an unanesthetized preparation. Furthermore, the slices are long-lived and SD can be induced on consecutive days without injury, making this preparation the sole means to-date capable of modeling the neuroimmune consequences of chronic SD, and thus perhaps chronic migraine. We use electrophysiological techniques and non-invasive imaging to measure neuronal cell and circuit functions coincident with SD. Neural immune gene expression variables are measured with qPCR screening, qPCR arrays, and, importantly, use of cDNA preamplification for detection of ultra-low level targets such as interferon-gamma using whole, regional, or specific cell enhanced (via laser dissection microscopy) sampling. Cytokine cascade signaling is further assessed with multiplexed phosphoprotein related targets with gene expression and phosphoprotein changes confirmed via cell-specific immunostaining. Pharmacological and siRNA strategies are used to mimic and modulate SD immune signaling.

Modeling Neural Immune Signaling of Episodic and Chronic Migraine Using Spreading Depression In Vitro

Migraine and its transformation to chronic migraine are immense healthcare burdens in need of improved treatment options. We seek to define how neural immune signaling modulates the susceptibility to migraine, modeled in vitro using spreading depression in hippocampal slice cultures, as a means to develop novel therapeutic targets.

Migraine and its transformation to chronic migraine are healthcare burdens in need of improved treatment options.  We seek to define how neural immune ...

Surgical Implantation of Chronic Neural Electrodes for Recording Single Unit Activity and Electrocorticographic Signals

The success of long-term electrophysiological recordings often depends on the quality of the implantation surgery. Here we provide useful information for surgeons who are learning the process of implanting electrode systems. We demonstrate the implantation procedure of both a penetrating and a surface electrode. The surgical process is described from start to finish, including detailed descriptions of each step throughout the procedure. It should also be noted that this video guide is focused towards procedures conducted in rodent models and other small animal models. Modifications of the described procedures are feasible for other animal models.

We provide useful information for surgeons who are learning the process of implanting chronic neural recording electrodes. Techniques for both penetrating and surface electrode systems are described in a rodent animal model.

The success of long-term electrophysiological recordings often depends on the quality of the implantation surgery.  Here we provide useful information for ...

Fiber-optic Implantation for Chronic Optogenetic Stimulation of Brain Tissue

Elucidating patterns of neuronal connectivity has been a challenge for both clinical and basic neuroscience. Electrophysiology has been the gold standard for analyzing patterns of synaptic connectivity, but paired electrophysiological recordings can be both cumbersome and experimentally limiting. The development of optogenetics has introduced an elegant method to stimulate neurons and circuits, both in vitro1 and in vivo2,3. By exploiting cell-type specific promoter activity to drive opsin expression in discrete neuronal populations, one can precisely stimulate genetically defined neuronal subtypes in distinct circuits4-6. Well described methods to stimulate neurons, including electrical stimulation and/or pharmacological manipulations, are often cell-type indiscriminate, invasive, and can damage surrounding tissues. These limitations could alter normal synaptic function and/or circuit behavior. In addition, due to the nature of the manipulation, the current methods are often acute and terminal. Optogenetics affords the ability to stimulate neurons in a relatively innocuous manner, and in genetically targeted neurons. The majority of studies involving in vivo optogenetics currently use a optical fiber guided through an implanted cannula6,7; however, limitations of this method include damaged brain tissue with repeated insertion of an optical fiber, and potential breakage of the fiber inside the cannula. Given the burgeoning field of optogenetics, a more reliable method of chronic stimulation is necessary to facilitate long-term studies with minimal collateral tissue damage. Here we provide our modified protocol as a video article to complement the method effectively and elegantly described in Sparta et al.8 for the fabrication of a fiber optic implant and its permanent fixation onto the cranium of anesthetized mice, as well as the assembly of the fiber optic coupler connecting the implant to a light source. The implant, connected with optical fibers to a solid-state laser, allows for an efficient method to chronically photostimulate functional neuronal circuitry with less tissue damage9 using small, detachable, tethers. Permanent fixation of the fiber optic implants provides consistent, long-term in vivo optogenetic studies of neuronal circuits in awake, behaving mice10 with minimal tissue damage.

The development of optogenetics now provides the means to precisely stimulate genetically defined neurons and circuits, both in vitro and in vivo. Here we describe the assembly and implantation of a fiber optic for chronic photostimulation of brain tissue.

Elucidating patterns of neuronal connectivity has been a challenge for both clinical and basic neuroscience. Electrophysiology has been the gold standard ...

Surgical Training for the Implantation of Neocortical Microelectrode Arrays Using a Formaldehyde-fixed Human Cadaver Model

This protocol describes a procedure to assist surgeons in training for the implantation of microelectrode arrays into the neocortex of the human brain. Recent technological progress has enabled the fabrication of microelectrode arrays that allow recording the activity of multiple individual neurons in the neocortex of the human brain. These arrays have the potential to bring unique insight onto the neuronal correlates of cerebral function in health and disease. Furthermore, the identification and decoding of volitional neuronal activity opens the possibility to establish brain-computer interfaces, and thus might help restore lost neurological functions. The implantation of neocortical microelectrode arrays is an invasive procedure requiring a supra-centimetric craniotomy and the exposure of the cortical surface; thus, the procedure must be performed by an adequately trained neurosurgeon. In order to provide an opportunity for surgical training, we designed a procedure based on a human cadaver model. The use of a formaldehyde-fixed human cadaver bypasses the practical, ethical and financial difficulties of surgical practice on animals (especially non-human primates) while preserving the macroscopic structure of the head, skull, meninges and cerebral surface and allowing realistic, operating room-like positioning and instrumentation. Furthermore, the use of a human cadaver is closer to clinical daily practice than any non-human model. The major drawbacks of the cadaveric simulation are the absence of cerebral pulsation and of blood and cerebrospinal fluid circulation. We suggest that a formaldehyde-fixed human cadaver model is an adequate, practical and cost-effective approach to ensure proper surgical training before implanting microelectrode arrays in the living human neocortex.

We designed a procedure in which a formaldehyde-fixed human cadaver is used to assist neurosurgeons in training for the implantation of microelectrode arrays into the neocortex of the human brain.

This protocol describes a procedure to assist surgeons in training for the implantation of microelectrode arrays into the neocortex of the human brain. ...

Medicine

Subdural Soft Electrocorticography (ECoG) Array Implantation and Long-Term Cortical Recording in Minipigs

Neurological impairments and diseases can be diagnosed or treated using electrocorticography (ECoG) arrays. In drug-resistant epilepsy, these help delineate the epileptic region to resect. In long-term applications such as brain-computer interfaces, these epicortical electrodes are used to record the movement intention of the brain, to control the robotic limbs of paralyzed patients. However, current stiff electrode grids do not answer the need for high-resolution brain recordings and long-term biointegration. Recently, conformable electrode arrays have been proposed to achieve long-term implant stability with high performance. However, preclinical studies for these new implant technologies are needed to validate their long-term functionality and safety profile for their translation to human patients. In this context, porcine models are routinely employed in developing medical devices due to their large organ sizes and easy animal handling. However, only a few brain applications are described in the literature, mostly due to surgery limitations and integration of the implant system on a living animal.
Here, we report the method for long-term implantation (6 months) and evaluation of soft ECoG arrays in the minipig model. The study first presents the implant system, consisting of a soft microfabricated electrode array integrated with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-compatible polymeric transdermal port that houses instrumentation connectors for electrophysiology recordings. Then, the study describes the surgical procedure, from subdural implantation to animal recovery. We focus on the auditory cortex as an example target area where evoked potentials are induced by acoustic stimulation. We finally describe a data acquisition sequence that includes MRI of the whole brain, implant electrochemical characterization, intraoperative and freely moving electrophysiology, and immunohistochemistry staining of the extracted brains.
This model can be used to investigate the safety and function of novel design of cortical prostheses; mandatory preclinical study to envision translation to human patients.

Subdural Soft Electrocorticography ECoG Array Implantation and Long-Term Cortical Recording in Minipigs

Here, we present a method for the long-term performance and safety assessment of soft subdural electrode arrays in a minipig model, describing surgical method and tools, postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, electrophysiology of the auditory cortex, electrochemical properties of the implant, and postmortem immunochemistry.

Neurological impairments and diseases can be diagnosed or treated using electrocorticography (ECoG) arrays. In drug-resistant epilepsy, these help ...

Bioengineering

Stereotaxic Surgery for Implantation of Microelectrode Arrays in the Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are small non-human primates that are gaining popularity in biomedical and preclinical research, including the neurosciences. Phylogenetically, these animals are much closer to humans than rodents. They also display complex behaviors, including a wide range of vocalizations and social interactions. Here, an effective stereotaxic neurosurgical procedure for implantation of recording electrode arrays in the common marmoset is described. This protocol also details the pre- and postoperative steps of animal care that are required to successfully perform such a surgery. Finally, this protocol shows an example of local field potential and spike activity recordings in a freely behaving marmoset 1 week after the surgical procedure. Overall, this method provides an opportunity to study the brain function in awake and freely behaving marmosets. The same protocol can be readily used by researchers working with other small primates. In addition, it can be easily modified to allow other studies requiring implants, such as stimulating electrodes, microinjections, implantation of optrodes or guide cannulas, or ablation of discrete tissue regions.

Stereotaxic Surgery for Implantation of Microelectrode Arrays in the Common Marmoset Callithrix jacchus

This work presents a protocol to perform a stereotaxic, neurosurgical implantation of&#160;microelectrode arrays in the common marmoset. This method specifically enables electrophysiological recordings in freely behaving animals but can be easily adapted to any other similar neurosurgical intervention in this species (e.g., cannula for drug administration or electrodes for brain stimulation).

Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are small non-human primates that are gaining popularity in biomedical and preclinical research, including the ...

Development of an X-Y Electrode Stage for Precise Neural Recording in Marmosets

Electrophysiology of Laminar Cortical Activity in the Common Marmoset

The marmoset monkey provides an ideal model for examining laminar cortical circuits due to its smooth cortical surface, which facilitates recordings with linear arrays. The marmoset has recently grown in popularity due to its similar neural functional organization to other primates and its technical advantages for recording and imaging. However, neurophysiology in this model poses some unique challenges due to the small size and lack of gyri as anatomical landmarks. Using custom-built micro-drives, researchers can manipulate linear array placement to sub-millimeter precision and reliably record at the same retinotopically targeted location across recording days. This protocol describes the step-by-step construction of the micro-drive positioning system and the neurophysiological recording technique with silicon linear electrode arrays. With precise control of electrode placement across recording sessions, researchers can easily traverse the cortex to identify areas of interest based on their retinotopic organization and the tuning properties of the recorded neurons. Further, using this laminar array electrode system, it is possible to apply a current source density analysis (CSD) to determine the recording depth of individual neurons. This protocol also demonstrates examples of laminar recordings, including spike waveforms isolated in Kilosort, which span multiple channels on the arrays.

Author Spotlight: Optimizing Micro-Drive Systems for Precise Electrode Positioning in Marmoset

Custom-built micro-drives enable the sub-millimeter targeting of cortical recording sites with linear silicon arrays.

The marmoset monkey provides an ideal model for examining laminar cortical circuits due to its smooth cortical surface, which facilitates recordings with ...

Implantation of Electrodes into a Mouse Cortex for Electrocorticographic Recordings

Source: Dufort-Gervais, et al. <a href="https://app.jove.com/v/61976">Electrocorticographic Recording of Cerebral Cortex Areas Manipulated Using an Adeno-Associated Virus Targeting Cofilin in Mice.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (2021)
This video demonstrates a protocol for implanting electrocorticographic electrodes in the mouse cerebral cortex to record electrical signals in response to adeno-associated viruses that target and manipulate cofilin expression.

1. ECoG/EMG electrode implantation

	Using straight Kelly forceps, slowly screw one ECoG electrode (with straight gold wire) in the vertical axis in the ...

JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments

Neurophysiology

Electrophysiology Techniques

Subdural Implantation of a Soft Electrocorticography Array for Cortical Electrophysiology Recording in Minipigs

Source: Fallegger, F. et al., <a href="https://app.jove.com/v/64997">Subdural Soft Electrocorticography (ECoG) Array Implantation and Long-Term Cortical Recording in Minipigs.</a>&#160;J. Vis. Exp. (2023).
This video demonstrates the implantation of a soft electrocorticography array and the long-term cortical recordings in a minipig. It outlines the steps involved in surgically implanting the array over the minipig&#39;s auditory cortex and recording both baseline and sound stimulus-evoked neuronal action potentials.

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.
1. ...

Chronic Implantation of Whole-cortical Electrocorticographic Array in the Common Marmoset

Summary

Explore More Videos

Chapters in this video

Multielectrode Array Recordings of the Vomeronasal Epithelium

Modeling Neural Immune Signaling of Episodic and Chronic Migraine Using Spreading Depression In Vitro

Surgical Implantation of Chronic Neural Electrodes for Recording Single Unit Activity and Electrocorticographic Signals

Fiber-optic Implantation for Chronic Optogenetic Stimulation of Brain Tissue

Surgical Training for the Implantation of Neocortical Microelectrode Arrays Using a Formaldehyde-fixed Human Cadaver Model

Subdural Soft Electrocorticography (ECoG) Array Implantation and Long-Term Cortical Recording in Minipigs

Stereotaxic Surgery for Implantation of Microelectrode Arrays in the Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

Electrophysiology of Laminar Cortical Activity in the Common Marmoset

Implantation of Electrodes into a Mouse Cortex for Electrocorticographic Recordings

Subdural Implantation of a Soft Electrocorticography Array for Cortical Electrophysiology Recording in Minipigs