Neuropixels 2.0: A miniaturized high-density probe for stable, long-term brain recordings

Abstract

To study the dynamics of neural processing across timescales, we require the ability to follow the spiking of thousands of individually separable neurons over weeks and months, during unrestrained behavior. To address this need, we introduce the Neuropixels 2.0 probe together with novel analysis algorithms. The new probe has over 5,000 sites and is miniaturized such that two probes plus a headstage, recording 768 sites at once, weigh just over 1 g, suitable for implanting chronically in small mammals. Recordings with high quality signals persisting for at least two months were reliably obtained in two species and six different labs. Improved site density and arrangement combined with new data processing methods enable automatic post-hoc stabilization of data despite brain movements during behavior and across days, allowing recording from the same neurons in the mouse visual cortex for over 2 months. Additionally, an optional configuration allows for recording from multiple sites per available channel, with a penalty to signal-to-noise ratio. These probes and algorithms enable stable recordings from >10,000 sites during free behavior in small animals such as mice.

A large-scale neural network training framework for generalized estimation of single-trial population dynamics

“…Ongoing advances in neural interfacing technologies are enabling simultaneous monitoring of the activity of large neural populations across a wide array of brain areas and behaviors (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). Such technologies may fundamentally change the questions we can address about computations within a neural population, allowing neuroscientists to shift focus from understanding how individual neurons' activity relates to externally-measurable or controllable parameters, toward understanding how neurons within a network coordinate their activity to perform computations underlying those behaviors.…”

Technological Challenges in the Development of Optogenetic Closed-Loop Therapy Approaches in Epilepsy and Related Network Disorders of the Brain

“…However, recent advances in silicon processing enable much higher recording site densities and as such thin silicon probes with hundreds of recording sites per shanks have been reported [ 56 , 57 ]. For example, the Neuropixels 1.0 and 2.0 contain respectively 966 and 1280 recording sites per shank (70 µm x 20 µm), of which 384 can be read out simultaneously [ 58 , 59 , 60 ]. Additionally, due to their high electrode density, they have shown to be capable of recording and tracking hundreds of individual neurons for multiple weeks.…”

A midbrain - thalamus - cortex circuit reorganizes cortical dynamics to initiate planned movement

“…A small craniotomy (diameter, 0.5 -1 mm) was made over the recording sites one the day prior to the first recording session. Extracellular spikes were recorded using Janelia silicon probes (HH-2) with two shanks (32 channels each, 25 µm interval between channel, 250 µm between shanks), or Neuropixels probes (Jun et al, 2017b;Steinmetz et al, 2020;Liu et al, 2020). For the HH-2 probe, 64 channel voltage signals were multiplexed, recorded on a PCI6133 board (National instrument), and digitized at 400 kHz (14 bit).…”