A technique for recording from brain-stem neurones in awake, unrestrained cats.

A method is described which enables single unit recordings to be made from neurones over a wide area of the brain-stem of awake, unrestrained cats. A small headpiece, made from titanium and acrylic, was fixed to the skull over a craniotomy at pre-set stereotaxic co-ordinates. Between recording sessions the craniotomy was sealed. During recording, a miniature micro-manipulator and adjustable titanium support was screwed into the headpiece and recordings were made with tungsten electrodes.