Name: Implantation of Chronic Silicon Probes and Recording of Hippocampal Place Cells in an Enriched Treadmill Apparatus (Video) | JoVE Journal
Uploaded: 2017-10-11T13:00:00.000+00:00
Duration: 9 min 59 s
Description: Learn to implant chronic silicon probes in the mouse hippocampus for recording place cell activity during head-fixed treadmill running. This method enables simultaneous monitoring of hundreds of neurons with single-action-potential resolution.

ai_agent_IP

ai_agent

maintenance

instantTrialDurationMinutes

isBiopharma

enableNewMyJoveSectionDesign

educationFeatures

seoMetaApi

ai_copilot_institution_blacklist

ai_chat_institution_blacklist

freeAccessWindow

ssoRoleCapture

scheduledMaintenanceBanner

joveLabsFeatures

disable_autoplay_for_bots

extended_trial_duration

5 minutes

This work was supported by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Institutional Program (Projects No. 2E26190 and 2E26170) and the Human Frontier Science Program (RGY0089/2012).

All methods described have been approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology.
1. Preparing the Micro-drive and Electrode
<ol>
	<li>Assembling the micro-drive.
	<ol>
		<li>Print the parts of the micro-drive (slider, body, and shell)14 using a high-resolution 3D printer. Make sure the parts have no defects.</li>
		<li>Fix the slider into the micro-drive body with a screw (size 000-120x1/4).</li>
		<li>Solder a nut (size 000-120x5/64 Hex) onto the tip of the screw.</li>
		<li>Rotate the screw clockwise to move the slider up or counter-clockwise to move it down.</li>
		<li>Fix the shell to the body with a screw (size 000-120x1/4).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Mounting the probe on the micro-drive.
	<ol>
		<li>Fix the micro-drive in a horizontal position under a binocular microscope.</li>
		<li>Use a flat alligator clip with rubber padding to grab the flex cable of the silicon probe, while carefully detaching the probe from the shipment enclosure with forceps. Fix the alligator clip to a manipulator.</li>
		<li>Using the manipulator, lay the silicon probe on the micro-drive slider, parallel to the direction of movement.</li>
		<li>Apply a drop of dental cement (room temperature-curing acrylic dental repair material) to fix the probe to the slider. Correct the probe position if it has shifted. Glue is not recommended as it cures very fast and makes it difficult to readjust the electrode position.</li>
		<li>Fix the connector of the probe to the C-holder (connector holder) with dental cement.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Cleaning and putting dye on the probe.
	<ol>
		<li>Fix the Microdrive/probe assemblage on the probe-cleaning device. The device is equipped with 2 small rotating foam sponges (non-sterile swabs). Adjust the gap by the manipulator.</li>
		<li>Soak the sponges with detergent.</li>
		<li>Slowly move the probe up and down between the sponges, allowing a gentle touch. Monitor the cleaning process under a microscope.</li>
		<li>Rinse the probe with distilled water. Dip the probe in alcohol for sterilization.</li>
		<li>Apply Dil (lipophilic fluorescent dye) on the back of the shanks of the probe, using a foam swab. This will allow in a later stage the visualization of shank locations in the brain.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Assembling the hat
	<ol>
		<li>Print the parts of the hat (head-plate, connector holder, and cap)14 using a 3D-printer. The 3 parts fit together to form a sealed enclosure.</li>
		<li>Insert nuts (size M2 and 00-90x1/4) in the slots of the head-plate and fix with glue and dental cement.</li>
		<li>Insert a washer in the slot of the cap and fix with dental cement.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. Surgery for Fixation of the Hat on the Skull
All tools used for surgery are sterilized beforehand by autoclaving. A dry heat beads device is used forto sterilize tools that become contaminated and need to be sterilized during the surgery.
<ol>
	<li>Set the level of isoflurane to 4% for the initiation of anesthesia. Put the mouse in the anesthesia chamber for 5 min.</li>
	<li>Install the mouse in a stereotaxic apparatus.</li>
	<li>Reduce the isoflurane level to 1.5-2%. Adjust the level during the surgery according to animal state, breathing rate, and body temperature20.</li>
	<li>Apply eye ointment on the eyes.</li>
	<li>Shave the scalp and clean the head of the animal with antiseptic (iodopovidone). Maintain aseptic conditions during all steps of the surgery.</li>
	<li>Inject bupivacaine (1 mg/kg) under the scalp. Cut and remove part of the parietal skin of the mouse head using fine scissors to expose the skull at its edges. Use saline and a hemostatic sponge to clean and control the bleeding during the surgery.</li>
	<li>Remove the periosteum using a scraper tool.</li>
	<li>Find the reference points on the skull21: bregma, lambda, coronal, and sagittal suture. Adjust the head&#39;s angle along the sagittal axis such that the Bregma and lambda points are at the same height.</li>
	<li>Drill two holes (~0.5 mm diameter) in the skull for the reference and ground electrodes. The holes should be approximately 1 mm caudal and 1 mm lateral of the Lambda.</li>
	<li>Insert the ground and reference electrodes (size 000-120x1/16 miniature stainless-steel screws wire-coupled to pin connectors).</li>
	<li>Apply ultraviolet (UV) light bonding dentin activator on the skull and then apply UV light for 45-60 s.</li>
	<li>Apply a layer of dental cement on the edges of the skull. Avoid spreading cement on the skin and hair of the mice.</li>
	<li>Fix the head-plate to a stereotaxic manipulator and position it above the skull. Slowly lower the head-plate until it slightly touches the skull, and apply dental cement at the junction with the skull. Let the dental cement cure for 15 min.</li>
	<li>Remove the anesthesia. Fix a connector-holder and a cap to the head-plate. Put the mouse in its cage after giving a sub-cutaneous injection of ketaprofen 5 mg/kg.</li>
	<li>Give sub-cutaneous injections of ketaprofen 5 mg/kg for the two next days and monitor carefully for any sign of pain. Mice typically wake up from anesthesia within 20-40 min. The hat implant is relatively light (3.34g), such that mice have no trouble to lift their head, run in mazes and climb on the edges of their home cage.</li>
</ol>
3. Behavioral Training
<ol>
	<li>After a post-surgery recovery period of 7 days, start the restriction of water at 1 mL per day.</li>
	<li>To make the treadmill belt, cut a piece of velvet fabric (5 cm by 1-2 m) and fix small objects on it using hot glue. Attach erected objects on the edges of the belt in order not to interfere with the motion of the mouse.</li>
	<li>Fix the belt on the wheels of the treadmill by suturing together the two ends.</li>
	<li>Install the mouse head-fixed in the treadmill by inserting and tightening the two screws of the head-plate into the slots of the head-fixation plate.</li>
	<li>Start training the mouse to run head-restrained on the treadmill for the water reward. Deliver the water reward through a lick port. Initially, put the mouse on the treadmill for periods of 10 min, 3 times per day.</li>
	<li>As the mouse gets used to the head-fixation and starts to move the belt (typically after ~3 days), increase the training session duration to 30 min. After 2-3 weeks, some mice run more than 100 trials in 30 min (a trial being a full rotation of the belt).</li>
	<li>Choose the mice showing the best behavioral performances for the recording experiments.</li>
</ol>
4. Implantation of the Silicon Probe
<ol>
	<li>Put the mouse under anesthesia.</li>
	<li>Install the mouse in the stereotaxic apparatus by fixing the head-plate. Clean the skull surface with saline.</li>
	<li>Find stereotaxic markers: bregma, lambda, coronal, and sagittal suture. Measure the distance to the point of insertion and mark it.</li>
	<li>Drill the bone carefully until it becomes thin and transparent. Moisten and clean with saline while drilling.</li>
	<li>Carefully remove the thinned bone and the Dura matter using precision forceps. Keep the brain surface wet with saline all the time.</li>
	<li>Fix the Microdrive/silicon probe assemblage to a stereotaxic manipulator. Bring the silicon probe just above the craniotomy. Screw the silicon probe connector holder to the head-plate.</li>
	<li>Connect the recording amplifier and ground/reference electrodes. Shield the mouse with aluminum foil to protect from electro-magnetic noise. Start the recording system to monitor the electrical activity of the brain.</li>
	<li>Slowly insert the silicon probe into the brain using the micromanipulator. Continuously check the electrical signals, the manipulator travelled distance, and the shanks of the probe (make sure they are penetrating in the brain). Unit activity is visible in the cortex while the white matter underneath is relatively silent. Unit activity reappears when the shanks touch the pyramidal layer of the hippocampus. From this point, retract the silicon probe 200 &#181;m (use the micro-drive the next day to bring the shank back into the pyramidal layer).</li>
	<li>Cover the surface of the brain with a mixture of bone wax and mineral oil.</li>
	<li>Fix the micro-drive to the head-plate using dental cement. Let the dental cement cure for 15 min. Then detach the micro-drive from the stereotaxic manipulator and put the hat cap back on.</li>
	<li>Put the mouse back in its cage and give a sub-cutaneous injection of ketaprofen 5 mg/kg. Check for any sign of pain. This surgery is much less invasive than the first one and mice are typically active within 45 min after they wake-up from the anesthesia. However, let the mouse recover an entire day as the silicon probe needs to stabilize in the brain.</li>
</ol>
5. Recording
<ol>
	<li>Install the mouse head-fixed on the treadmill. Remove the hat cap.</li>
	<li>Connect the recording amplifier and start the recording.</li>
	<li>On the first day, use the micro-drive to move the silicon probe into the pyramidal layer of the hippocampus. Each counter-clockwise turn of the screw moves the shanks 200 &#181;m deeper. Adjust the shank position slowly (~20-50 &#181;m at a time) until ripple oscillations13 and unit activity appear.</li>
	<li>On the next days, tune the shank position and wait ~1 h before recording the hippocampal activity while the mouse runs on the belt. To maintain good recording signal quality for several days, remove hard objects and low ceiling from the mouse&#39;s cage to minimize the chance the hat bumps into hard surfaces.</li>
</ol>
6. Recovering the probe
<ol>
	<li>Put the mouse under anesthesia.</li>
	<li>Install the mouse in the stereotaxic apparatus by fixing the head-plate. Remove the hat cap.</li>
	<li>Bring the stereotaxic manipulator just above the micro-drive. Fix the micro-drive to the manipulator. Unscrew the connector holder from the head-plate. Remove the screw connecting the shell and body of the micro-drive.</li>
	<li>Under binocular microscope supervision, slowly pull up the micro-drive/silicon probe assemblage with the stereotaxic manipulator, leaving the shell part behind.</li>
	<li>Clean the silicon probe with the cleaning device.</li>
</ol>

<ol><li>Schjetnan, A. G., Luczak, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Recording+large-scale+neuronal+ensembles+with+silicon+probes+in+the+anesthetized+rat%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Vis+Exp%22%5BJournal%5D)">Recording large-scale neuronal ensembles with silicon probes in the anesthetized rat.</a> J Vis Exp. (56), (2011).</li>
<li>Buzsaki, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Large-scale+recording+of+neuronal+ensembles%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Nat+Neurosci%22%5BJournal%5D)">Large-scale recording of neuronal ensembles.</a> Nat Neurosci. 7 (5), 446-451 (2004).</li>
<li>Suner, S., Fellows, M. R., Vargas-Irwin, C., Nakata, G. K., Donoghue, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Reliability+of+signals+from+a+chronically+implanted%2C+silicon-based+electrode+array+in+non-human+primate+primary+motor+cortex%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22IEEE+Trans+Neural+Syst+Rehabil+Eng%22%5BJournal%5D)">Reliability of signals from a chronically implanted, silicon-based electrode array in non-human primate primary motor cortex.</a> IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng. 13 (4), 524-541 (2005).</li>
<li>Csicsvari, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Massively+parallel+recording+of+unit+and+local+field+potentials+with+silicon-based+electrodes%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Neurophysiol%22%5BJournal%5D)">Massively parallel recording of unit and local field potentials with silicon-based electrodes.</a> J Neurophysiol. 90 (2), 1314-1323 (2003).</li>
<li>Hochberg, L. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Neuronal+ensemble+control+of+prosthetic+devices+by+a+human+with+tetraplegia%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Nature%22%5BJournal%5D)">Neuronal ensemble control of prosthetic devices by a human with tetraplegia.</a> Nature. 442 (7099), 164-171 (2006).</li>
<li>Okun, M., Lak, A., Carandini, M., Harris, K. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Long+Term+Recordings+with+Immobile+Silicon+Probes+in+the+Mouse+Cortex%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22PLoS+One%22%5BJournal%5D)">Long Term Recordings with Immobile Silicon Probes in the Mouse Cortex.</a> PLoS One. 11 (3), e0151180(2016).</li>
<li>Vandecasteele, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Large-scale+recording+of+neurons+by+movable+silicon+probes+in+behaving+rodents%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Vis+Exp%22%5BJournal%5D)">Large-scale recording of neurons by movable silicon probes in behaving rodents.</a> J Vis Exp. (61), e3568(2012).</li>
<li>Kipke, D. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Advanced+neurotechnologies+for+chronic+neural+interfaces%3A+new+horizons+and+clinical+opportunities%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Neurosci%22%5BJournal%5D)">Advanced neurotechnologies for chronic neural interfaces: new horizons and clinical opportunities.</a> J Neurosci. 28 (46), 11830-11838 (2008).</li>
<li>Royer, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Control+of+timing%2C+rate+and+bursts+of+hippocampal+place+cells+by+dendritic+and+somatic+inhibition%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Nat+Neurosci%22%5BJournal%5D)">Control of timing, rate and bursts of hippocampal place cells by dendritic and somatic inhibition.</a> Nat Neurosci. 15 (5), 769-775 (2012).</li>
<li>Boyden, E. S., Zhang, F., Bamberg, E., Nagel, G., Deisseroth, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Millisecond-timescale+genetically+targeted+optical+control+of+neural+activity%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Nat+Neurosci%22%5BJournal%5D)">Millisecond-timescale genetically targeted optical control of neural activity.</a> Nat Neurosci. 8 (9), 1263-1268 (2005).</li>
<li>Royer, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Multi-array+silicon+probes+with+integrated+optical+fibers%3A+light-assisted+perturbation+and+recording+of+local+neural+circuits+in+the+behaving+animal%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Eur+J+Neurosci%22%5BJournal%5D)">Multi-array silicon probes with integrated optical fibers: light-assisted perturbation and recording of local neural circuits in the behaving animal.</a> Eur J Neurosci. 31 (12), 2279-2291 (2010).</li>
<li>Geiller, T., Fattahi, M., Choi, J. S., Royer, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Place+cells+are+more+strongly+tied+to+landmarks+in+deep+than+in+superficial+CA1%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Nat+Commun%22%5BJournal%5D)">Place cells are more strongly tied to landmarks in deep than in superficial CA1.</a> Nat Commun. 8, 14531(2017).</li>
<li>Ylinen, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Sharp+wave-associated+high-frequency+oscillation+%28200+Hz%29+in+the+intact+hippocampus%3A+network+and+intracellular+mechanisms%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Neurosci%22%5BJournal%5D)">Sharp wave-associated high-frequency oscillation (200 Hz) in the intact hippocampus: network and intracellular mechanisms.</a> J Neurosci. 15 (1 Pt 1), 30-46 (1995).</li>
<li>Battaglia, F. P., Sutherland, G. R., McNaughton, B. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Local+sensory+cues+and+place+cell+directionality%3A+additional+evidence+of+prospective+coding+in+the+hippocampus%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Neurosci%22%5BJournal%5D)">Local sensory cues and place cell directionality: additional evidence of prospective coding in the hippocampus.</a> J Neurosci. 24 (19), 4541-4550 (2004).</li>
<li>Hazan, L., Zugaro, M., Buzsaki, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Klusters%2C+NeuroScope%2C+NDManager%3A+a+free+software+suite+for+neurophysiological+data+processing+and+visualization%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Neurosci+Methods%22%5BJournal%5D)">Klusters, NeuroScope, NDManager: a free software suite for neurophysiological data processing and visualization.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 155 (2), 207-216 (2006).</li>
<li>Kadir, S. N., Goodman, D. F., Harris, K. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((High-dimensional+cluster+analysis+with+the+masked+EM+algorithm%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Neural+Comput%22%5BJournal%5D)">High-dimensional cluster analysis with the masked EM algorithm.</a> Neural Comput. 26 (11), 2379-2394 (2014).</li>
<li>Lewicki, M. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((A+review+of+methods+for+spike+sorting%3A+the+detection+and+classification+of+neural+action+potentials%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Network%22%5BJournal%5D)">A review of methods for spike sorting: the detection and classification of neural action potentials.</a> Network. 9 (4), R53-R78 (1998).</li>
<li>Battaglia, F. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((The+Lantern%3A+an+ultra-light+micro-drive+for+multi-tetrode+recordings+in+mice+and+other+small+animals%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Neurosci+Methods%22%5BJournal%5D)">The Lantern: an ultra-light micro-drive for multi-tetrode recordings in mice and other small animals.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 178 (2), 291-300 (2009).</li>
<li>Blumberg, M. S., Sokoloff, G., Tiriac, A., Del Rio-Bermudez, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((A+valuable+and+promising+method+for+recording+brain+activity+in+behaving+newborn+rodents%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Dev+Psychobiol%22%5BJournal%5D)">A valuable and promising method for recording brain activity in behaving newborn rodents.</a> Dev Psychobiol. 57 (4), 506-517 (2015).</li>
<li>Haiss, F., Butovas, S., Schwarz, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((A+miniaturized+chronic+microelectrode+drive+for+awake+behaving+head+restrained+mice+and+rats%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Neurosci+Methods%22%5BJournal%5D)">A miniaturized chronic microelectrode drive for awake behaving head restrained mice and rats.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 187 (1), 67-72 (2010).</li>
<li>Dombeck, D. A., Khabbaz, A. N., Collman, F., Adelman, T. L., Tank, D. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Imaging+large-scale+neural+activity+with+cellular+resolution+in+awake%2C+mobile+mice%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Neuron%22%5BJournal%5D)">Imaging large-scale neural activity with cellular resolution in awake, mobile mice.</a> Neuron. 56 (1), 43-57 (2007).</li>
<li>Villette, V., Malvache, A., Tressard, T., Dupuy, N., Cossart, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Internally+Recurring+Hippocampal+Sequences+as+a+Population+Template+of+Spatiotemporal+Information%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Neuron%22%5BJournal%5D)">Internally Recurring Hippocampal Sequences as a Population Template of Spatiotemporal Information.</a> Neuron. 88 (2), 357-366 (2015).</li>
<li>Ziv, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Long-term+dynamics+of+CA1+hippocampal+place+codes%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Nat+Neurosci%22%5BJournal%5D)">Long-term dynamics of CA1 hippocampal place codes.</a> Nat Neurosci. 16 (3), 264-266 (2013).</li>
<li>Danielson, N. B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Distinct+Contribution+of+Adult-Born+Hippocampal+Granule+Cells+to+Context+Encoding%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Neuron%22%5BJournal%5D)">Distinct Contribution of Adult-Born Hippocampal Granule Cells to Context Encoding.</a> Neuron. 90 (1), 101-112 (2016).</li>
<li>Stark, E., Koos, T., Buzsaki, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Diode+probes+for+spatiotemporal+optical+control+of+multiple+neurons+in+freely+moving+animals%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Neurophysiol%22%5BJournal%5D)">Diode probes for spatiotemporal optical control of multiple neurons in freely moving animals.</a> J Neurophysiol. 108 (1), 349-363 (2012).</li>
<li>Wu, F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((An+implantable+neural+probe+with+monolithically+integrated+dielectric+waveguide+and+recording+electrodes+for+optogenetics+applications%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Neural+Eng%22%5BJournal%5D)">An implantable neural probe with monolithically integrated dielectric waveguide and recording electrodes for optogenetics applications.</a> J Neural Eng. 10 (5), 056012(2013).</li>
</ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Chronic recording of neuronal activity is critical for understanding neural processes such as hippocampal place fields. Our approach to perform chronic silicon probe implantantation distinguishes itself from other methods7,18,19,20 by the fact that it is relatively simple to recover the electrode package at the end of the experiment. While place cells are typically studied in freely-moving cond...

Silicon probes present several advantages for electrophysiological recordings, including the fact that they are designed with sharp profiles minimizing tissue damage and that they present a precise layout of densely packed recording sites1,2,3,4. They are used to study various systems in different species, including humans3,5,6, with diverse approaches1,7. Yet, their recurrent use is still relatively limited because of their cost, fragility, and the fact that convenient methods for chronic experiments are lacking8. Recent advances in 3D printing technology have made possible the custom designing of devices such as micro-drives and head-plates to allow an easier handling of these delicate electrodes. In a first step, we will describe how to build and use a set of tools that we have developed for the implantation of chronic silicon probes14.
While place cells are typically studied using freely-moving animals running in mazes, recently they were also investigated in virtual environments15 and in treadmill apparatii9 (Figure 1A). These experimental methods offer the advantage that animals can be head-restrained, making the use of 2-photon microscope15, patch-clamp16, and optrode9,10,11 techniques easier, in addition to providing enhanced control on animal behavior and environmental cues12. In a second step, we will present the procedures for training mice and recording place cell activity in a treadmill apparatus.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Silicon Probe</td><td>Neuronexus</td><td>Buzsabi32</td><td>Recording electrode</td></tr><tr><td>Recording system</td><td>Intantech</td><td>RHD2132/RHD2000</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>3D printer</td><td>Asiga</td><td>Pico Plus 27</td><td>High resolution printer for micro-drive</td></tr><tr><td>3D printer</td><td>Stratasys</td><td>Mojo</td><td>Lower resolution printer for hat components</td></tr><tr><td>Stereotaxic apparatus</td><td>Kopf</td><td>Model 963</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Binocular microscope</td><td>Leica</td><td>M60</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Treadmill apparatus</td><td></td><td></td><td>We build them</td></tr></tbody></table>

implantation of chronic silicon probes and recording of hippocampal place cells in an enriched treadmill apparatus

Implantation of Chronic Silicon Probes and Recording of Hippocampal Place Cells in an Enriched Treadmill Apparatus

An important requisite for understanding brain function is the identification of behavior and cell activity correlates. Silicon probes are advanced electrodes for large-scale electrophysiological recording of neuronal activity, but the procedures for their chronic implantation are still underdeveloped. The activity of hippocampal place cells is known to correlate with an animal&#39;s position in the environment, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. To investigate place cells, here we describe a set of techniques which range from the fabrication of devices for chronic silicon probe implants to the monitoring of place field activity in a cue-enriched treadmill apparatus. A micro-drive and a hat are built by fitting and fastening together 3D-printed plastic parts. A silicon probe is mounted on the micro-drive, cleaned, and coated with dye. A first surgery is performed to fix the hat on the skull of a mouse. Small landmarks are fabricated and attached to the belt of a treadmill. The mouse is trained to run head-fixed on the treadmill. A second surgery is performed to implant the silicon probe in the hippocampus, following which broadband electrophysiological signals are recorded. Finally, the silicon probe is recovered and cleaned for reuse. The analysis of place cell activity in the treadmill reveals a diversity of place field mechanisms, outlining the benefit of the approach.

A mouse was first trained to run on a two-meter long belt devoid of cues (Figure 1C). Following electrode implantation, a new belt of the same length but presenting 3 pairs of cues was installed on the treadmill, in order to generate allocentric spatial representations12,14. Broadband signals were recorded at a sampling rate of 30,000 Hz, using a 250-channel recording system (amplifier board with USB ...

We describe the diverse steps to implant chronic silicon probes and to record place cells in mice that are running head-fixed on a cue-enriched treadmill apparatus.

An important requisite for understanding brain function is the identification of behavior and cell activity correlates. Silicon probes are advanced ...

implantation-chronic-silicon-probes-recording-hippocampal-place-cells

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Extracellular recordings of neuronal activity using silicon probes in the anesthetized rat will be described. This technique allows information to be obtained across multiple brain areas from more than 100 neurons simultaneously. It provides information with single cell resolution about neuronal ensembles dynamics in multiple local circuits.

Recording Large-scale Neuronal Ensembles with Silicon Probes in the Anesthetized Rat

We describe methods for large-scale recording of multiple single units and local field potential in behaving rodents with silicon probes. Drive fabrication, probe attachment to the drive and probe implantation processes are illustrated in sufficient details for easy replication.

Large-scale Recording of Neurons by Movable Silicon Probes in Behaving Rodents

This video outlines a protocol for implanting a multi-shank linear silicon probe into the mouse brain to measure local field potentials. The procedure involves securing the probe to a stereotaxic unit, positioning it accurately over the target brain region, inserting it into the brain, and securing it with dental cement. After implantation, the assembly is protected with a casing. Following recovery, the setup allows for recording local field potentials, providing insights into neuronal...

Recording Brain Electrical Activity in Behaving Mice Using Multi-Shank Linear Silicon Probes

This video demonstrates the stereotactic implantation of a wire electrode array and an optic fiber in the hippocampus of a mouse model.

Implanting an Electrode Array and Optic Fiber into the Mouse Hippocampus

This protocol describes the recording of local field potentials with multi-shank linear silicon probes. Conversion of the signals using current source density analysis allows the reconstruction of local electrical activity in the mouse hippocampus. With this technique, spatially restricted brain oscillations can be studied in freely moving mice.

Recording Spatially Restricted Oscillations in the Hippocampus of Behaving Mice

We used recording and stimulation electrodes in longitudinal hippocampal brain slices and longitudinally positioned recording and stimulation electrodes in the dorsal hippocampus in vivo to evoke extracellular postsynaptic potentials and demonstrate long-term synaptic plasticity along the longitudinal interlamellar CA1.

Investigating Long-term Synaptic Plasticity in Interlamellar Hippocampus CA1 by Electrophysiological Field Recording

This protocol describes the construction of a hybrid microdrive array that allows implantation of nine independently adjustable tetrodes and one adjustable opto-silicon probe in two brain regions in freely moving mice. Also demonstrated is a method for safely recovering and reusing the opto-silicon probe for multiple purposes.

Hybrid Microdrive System with Recoverable Opto-Silicon Probe and Tetrode for Dual-Site High Density Recording in Freely Moving Mice

The protocol presented here provides information on the simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and behavioral assessment in real-time. We have discussed all steps involved in this protocol as an attractive solution for researchers in many fields of neuroscience, particularly in learning and memory areas.

Simultaneous Monitoring of Wireless Electrophysiology and Memory Behavioral Test as a Tool to Study Hippocampal Neurogenesis

Here, we describe a micro-drive design, surgical implantation procedure, and post-surgery recovery strategy that allow for chronic field and single-unit recordings from multiple brain regions simultaneously in juvenile and adolescent mice across a critical developmental window from postnatal day 20 (p20) to postnatal day 60 (p60) and beyond.

A Lightweight Drive Implant for Chronic Tetrode Recordings in Juvenile Mice

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

Electrophysiology of Laminar Cortical Activity in the Common Marmoset

Here, we introduce a lightweight, cost-effective probe implant system for chronic electrophysiology in rodents optimized for ease of use, probe recovery, experimental versatility, and compatibility with behavior.

The DREAM Implant: A Lightweight, Modular, and Cost-Effective Implant System for Chronic Electrophysiology in Head-Fixed and Freely Behaving Mice

Learn to implant chronic silicon probes in the mouse hippocampus for recording place cell activity during head-fixed treadmill running. This method enables simultaneous monitoring of hundreds of neurons with single-action-potential resolution.

Implantation of Chronic Silicon Probes and Recording of Hippocampal Place Cells in an Enriched Treadmill Apparatus

Explore More Videos