Bi-directional neural interface for probing parallel visual pathways

项目总结/摘要 这项提案的目标是开发一种高保真的自适应视网膜电接口，并使用它来 研究平行视觉通路（M和P，ON和OFF）对感知的贡献， 猕猴的行为。该装置将以单细胞的分辨率双向操作， 单个尖峰，并将适应宿主神经回路中细胞类型和位置的多样性。 我们建立在我们在离体灵长类动物视网膜上的广泛工作的基础上，这表明了电 以单细胞、单棘波刺激和记录几乎完整视网膜神经节细胞群 分辨率我们将开发将这种方法应用于体内环境所需的技术，然后 用它们来探索行为猕猴的视觉功能，通过追求三个目标：（1）开发和测试一个 高密度、大规模电记录和刺激装置，（2）发展外科技术，测试 生物相容性，并在麻醉动物中测试功能，以及（3）探测内部计算， M和P通路之间的联系及其在运动视觉中的作用。我们解决这些问题的独特方法 依赖于一个在神经生理学、视觉行为、集成电路、 材料科学、外科手术和信号处理。除了测试视觉的基本方面， 这项工作将为其他神经接口提供一个平台技术， 这是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.