Bi-directional neural interface for probing parallel visual pathways

项目摘要/摘要 这项提议的目标是开发一种高保真的自适应视网膜电接口，并将其用于 研究平行视觉通路(M和P，开和关)对知觉和 猕猴的行为。该装置将在单个电池的分辨率下双向工作，并 单个棘波，并会适应宿主神经回路中细胞类型和位置的多样性。 我们建立在我们对分离的灵长类视网膜的广泛研究的基础上，这证明了电刺激的能力 在单细胞、单棘点刺激和记录几乎完整的视网膜神经节细胞群 决议。我们将开发将这种方法应用于体内环境所需的技术，然后 利用它们来探索猕猴行为的视觉功能，通过追求三个目标：(1)开发和测试 高密度、大规模电记录和刺激装置，(2)开发外科技术，测试 在麻醉动物中的生物兼容性和测试功能，以及(3)在和 M和P通路之间及其在运动视觉中的作用。我们解决这些问题的独特方法 依靠一支在神经生理学、视觉行为、集成电路、 材料科学、外科和信号处理。除了测试视觉的基本方面之外 以新的方式发挥作用，这项工作将为其他神经接口和 未来治疗无法治愈的失明的视网膜植入物的功能原型。

Project Summary/Abstract The goal of this proposal is to develop a high-fidelity adaptive electrical interface to the retina and use it to investigate the contributions of the parallel visual pathways (M and P, ON and OFF) to the perception and behavior of macaque monkeys. The device will operate bi-directionally at the resolution of single cells and single spikes, and will adapt itself to the diversity of cell types and locations in the host neural circuitry. We build on our extensive work in isolated primate retina, which demonstrates the ability to electrically stimulate and record nearly complete populations of retinal ganglion cells at single-cell, single-spike resolution. We will develop the technologies needed to take this approach to the in vivo setting, and then use them to probe visual function in behaving macaques, by pursuing three aims: (1) develop and test a high-density, large-scale electrical recording and stimulation device, (2) develop surgical techniques, test biocompatibility, and test functionality in anesthetized animals, and (3) probe the computations within and between the M and P pathways and their role in motion vision. Our unique approach to these problems relies on a team with extensive experience in neurophysiology, visual behavior, integrated circuits, materials science, surgery, and signal processing. In addition to testing fundamental aspects of visual function in novel ways, this work will produce a platform technology for other neural interfaces and a functional prototype for a future retinal implant to treat incurable blindness.