Bimbard C, Takács F, Catarino J A, Fabre J M J, Gupta S, Lenzi S C, Melin M D, O'Neill N, Orsolic I, Robacha M, Street J S, Teixeira J, Townsend S, van Beest E H, Zhang A M, Churchland A K, Duan C A, Harris K D, Kullmann D M, Lignani G, Mainen Z F, Margrie T W, Rochefort N L, Wikenheiser A M, Carandini M, Coen P
UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK.
Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University College London, London, UK.
bioRxiv. 2024 Nov 18:2023.08.03.551752. doi: 10.1101/2023.08.03.551752.
Electrophysiology has proven invaluable to record neural activity, and the development of Neuropixels probes dramatically increased the number of recorded neurons. These probes are often implanted acutely, but acute recordings cannot be performed in freely moving animals and the recorded neurons cannot be tracked across days. To study key behaviors such as navigation, learning, and memory formation, the probes must be implanted chronically. An ideal chronic implant should (1) allow stable recordings of neurons for weeks; (2) allow reuse of the probes after explantation; (3) be light enough for use in mice. Here, we present the "Apollo Implant", an open-source and editable device that meets these criteria and accommodates up to two Neuropixels 1.0 or 2.0 probes. The implant comprises a "payload" module which is attached to the probe and is recoverable, and a "docking" module which is cemented to the skull. The design is adjustable, making it easy to change the distance between probes, the angle of insertion, and the depth of insertion. We tested the implant across eight labs in head-fixed mice, freely moving mice, and freely moving rats. The number of neurons recorded across days was stable, even after repeated implantations of the same probe. The Apollo implant provides an inexpensive, lightweight, and flexible solution for reusable chronic Neuropixels recordings.
电生理学已被证明在记录神经活动方面具有极高价值，而神经像素探针的发展极大地增加了记录神经元的数量。这些探针通常是急性植入的，但急性记录无法在自由活动的动物身上进行，且记录的神经元无法跨天追踪。为了研究诸如导航、学习和记忆形成等关键行为，探针必须长期植入。理想的长期植入装置应：(1) 能够对神经元进行数周的稳定记录；(2) 在外植后允许探针重复使用；(3) 足够轻以便在小鼠中使用。在此，我们展示了“Apollo植入装置”，这是一种开源且可编辑的设备，满足这些标准，可容纳多达两个神经像素1.0或2.0探针。该植入装置包括一个连接到探针且可回收的“负载”模块，以及一个固定在颅骨上的“对接”模块。其设计是可调节的，便于改变探针之间的距离、插入角度和插入深度。我们在八个实验室中对该植入装置进行了测试，测试对象包括头部固定的小鼠、自由活动的小鼠和自由活动的大鼠。即使在同一探针多次植入后，跨天记录的神经元数量依然稳定。Apollo植入装置为可重复使用的长期神经像素记录提供了一种廉价、轻便且灵活的解决方案。
