Large scale, simultaneous, chronic neural recordings from multiple brain areas

Melin, Maxwell D; Khanal, Anup; Vasquez, Marvin; Ryan, Michael B; Churchland, Anne K; Couto, Joao

doi:10.1101/2023.12.22.572441

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…However, some users may need to insert multiple probes at different angles. In this case we are aware of two implant solutions in development that could be better suited, although to our knowledge these remain untested outside the authors’ own groups and have only been used in mice (Aery Jones, 2023; Melin et al, 2023).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An adaptable, reusable, and light implant for chronic Neuropixels probes

Bimbard

Takács

Fabre

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Understanding neural processes such as memory formation, learning, or aging requires tracking the activity of neural populations across short and long time scales. Such longitudinal recordings can be achieved with chronically implanted Neuropixels probes. An ideal chronic implant should (1) allow stable recordings of neurons for weeks; (2) be light enough for use in small animals like mice; (3) allow reuse of the probes after explantation. In this initial preprint, we present the "Apollo Implant", an open-source and editable device that meets all these criteria and accommodates up to two Neuropixels 1.0 or 2.0 probes. The assembled implant comprises two modules: a recoverable "payload" module, and a "docking" module that is cemented to the skull. The design is readily adjustable: the distance between probes, angle of insertion, and depth of penetration can all be easily changed. We tested the implant across multiple labs, and in head-fixed and freely moving animals. The number of neurons recorded across days was stable, even after repeated implantations of the same probe. The Apollo implant thus provides an inexpensive, lightweight, and flexible solution for reusable chronic Neuropixels recordings.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An adaptable, reusable, and light implant for chronic Neuropixels probes

Bimbard

Takács

Fabre

et al. 2023

Preprint

Self Cite

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show abstract

“…As the Neuropixels recording technology evolved and matured, researchers developed solutions to chronically implanting Neuropixels probes. They have a common design principle using payload and docking modules and have been effectively used for some combination of recording from Neuropixels 1.0; Neuropixels 2.0; in mice or rats; with the ability to reuse probes 3,17,19,20,[23][24][25][26] . Repix combines all these qualities to ensure longterm recordings in an aluminum system that is strong enough for rats and light enough for mice; which can accommodate any probe type; in assays that span rodent behaviors, including freely-moving, head-fixed, and social behaviors; where probes can be reused; all in a solution with a minimal number of components that can be adapted for individual use cases.…”

Section: Repix a Minimalistic Implant System For Neuropixels Probesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The second drawback is that the current Repix design does not allow two probes to be simultaneously inserted using the same posts. Dual probe implants in mice are the standard feature of Apollo or similar systems 19,20,24 , and a recent report showed a 3.4g fixture with 6 probes chronically implanted 25 . The resources accompanying this article include two versions of dual-probe Repix prototypes (Supplemental Material: CAD/Cassette/Prototypes/DualProbe.step).…”

Section: Drawbacks and Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Repix: reliable, reusable, versatile chronic Neuropixels implants using minimal components

Horan,

Regester,

Mazuski

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Neuropixels probes represent the state-of-the-art for high-yield electrophysiology in neuroscience: the simultaneous recording of hundreds of neurons is now routinely carried out in head-restrained animals. In contrast, neural recording in unrestrained animals, as well as recording and tracking neurons over days, remains challenging, though it is possible using chronic implants. A major challenge is the availability of simple methods that can be implemented with limited or no prior experience with Neuropixels probes, while achieving reliable, reusable, versatile high-density electrophysiology. Here we developed, deployed, and evaluated the real-world performance of Repix, a chronic implantation system that permits the repeated re-use of Neuropixels probes. The lightweight system allows implanted animals to express a full range of natural behaviors, including social behaviors. We show that Repix allows the recording of hundreds of neurons across many months, up to a year, with implants across cortical and subcortical brain regions. Probes can be reused repeatedly with stable yield. Repix has been used by 16 researchers in 10 laboratories to date, and we evaluated the real-world performance of Repix in a variety of chronic recording paradigms in both mice and rats with a combined 209 implantations. We found that the key advantage of Repix is robustness and simplicity. Adopters of Repix became proficient at five procedures on average, regardless of prior experience with in vivo electrophysiology. With the companion protocol alongside this article, the performance and user-friendliness of Repix should facilitate a wide uptake of chronic Neuropixels recordings.

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Three-dimensional-printed headcap with embedded microdrive system for customizable multi-region brain recordings with neural probes

Hartner,

Yi,

Zhu

et al. 2024

Front. Neurosci.

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Electrophysiological recordings from single neurons are crucial for understanding the complex functioning of the brain and for developing eventual therapeutic interventions. For electrophysiology, the accuracy and fidelity of invasive implantations of small devices remains unmatched. This study introduces an innovative, cost-efficient, 3D-printed headcap with embedded microdrive (THEM) system designed to streamline the manual labor-intensive in-vivo electrode implantation process for efficient and precise multi-region brain neural probe implantations. A custom bregma-referenced headcap design and fabrication, embedded microdrive integration, and upper support structure for probe packaging are described. With the Sprague Dawley rat as test species and medial prefrontal cortex and CA1 of the dorsal hippocampus as targets, surgeries and electrophysiological recordings were conducted to test the capability of the THEM system as compared to conventional surgical methods. By shifting manual stereotaxic alignment work to pre-surgical preparation of a fully assembled headcap system, incorporating fully preassembled upper support framework for packaging management, and easy customization for specific experiment designs and probe types, our system significantly reduces the surgical time, simplifies multi-implant procedures, and enhances procedural accuracy and repeatability. The THEM system demonstrates a significant improvement over conventional surgical implantation methods and offers a promising tool for future neuroscience research.

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Large scale, simultaneous, chronic neural recordings from multiple brain areas

Cited by 7 publications

References 32 publications

An adaptable, reusable, and light implant for chronic Neuropixels probes

An adaptable, reusable, and light implant for chronic Neuropixels probes

Repix: reliable, reusable, versatile chronic Neuropixels implants using minimal components

Three-dimensional-printed headcap with embedded microdrive system for customizable multi-region brain recordings with neural probes

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