A turn-key optogenetics and electrophysiology measurement system

摘要 据估计，与年龄相关的睡眠问题，如晚期睡眠相障碍(ASPD)， 至少1%的中年人，患病率随着年龄的增长而增加。虽然对人类的有害影响 衰老引起的睡眠障碍有很好的特征，对分子和生理的详细洞察 这些睡眠变化背后的机制非常缺乏。光遗传学利用一种组合 基因和光学方法直接控制中枢神经特定细胞中的神经元事件 系统。最近的研究证实，对清醒状态和慢波睡眠的控制 有可能使用光遗传方法。这些方法可以用来提供前所未有的 了解衰老过程中的大脑皮层活动。光遗传学领域正在走向成熟，有许多 商业来源的光遗传组件；然而，这项技术需要多学科的技能 课程包括化学、光学、生理学、电子学、力学、软件和系统分析。至 迄今为止，任何单一的实验都需要一个由单个组件设计的系统。多个实验室 也有现有的设备，他们希望整合到一个完整的光遗传学系统中。今年5月 包括激光器、摄像头以及潜在的行为硬件和软件平台。在这些情况下 数字定时协议(TTL)通常用于保持同步，但也有一些微妙之处(设备 延迟等)对于这种经常被忽视的方法。这个项目的目标是将 光遗传学和电生理记录到一个单一的交钥匙，为小鼠模块化系统。这个 系统将能够向一个或多个特定的大脑提供多个可选择的波长的光 在啮齿类动物的整个生命周期中，同时记录这些区域的电信号。 电生理、机械和视觉输入之间的所有同步，以及光学和 刺激输出将通过主定时、数字输入/输出平台以及 复杂的软件计时技术。光遗传学光源和耦合光纤将 在标准化的探头平台上实施，该平台可以轻松、准确地使用 立体定位技术。建成后，该系统将通过以下方式显著提高科学知识 为来自多个领域的研究人员无缝集成光伏发电提供交钥匙解决方案 与传统的衰老和基于脑电的研究一起进行控制。

ABSTRACT Age-related sleep problems such as advanced sleep phase disorder (ASPD) are estimated to affect at least 1% of middle-aged adults and increase in prevalence with age. While the detrimental effects of sleep disruption with aging are well characterized, detailed insights into the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying these sleep changes are greatly lacking. Optogenetics harnesses a combination of genetic and optical methods to directly control neuronal events in specific cells of the central nervous system. Recent studies have confirmed that control of both wakefulness and slow-wave-sleep are possible using optogenetic methods. These methods can be used to provide an unprecedented understanding of cortical activity in aging. The optogenetics field is maturing and there are numerous commercial sources for optogenetic components; however, the technique requires a multidisciplinary skill set including chemistry, optics, physiology, electronics, mechanics, software, and systems analysis. To date, any single experiment requires a system designed from individual, component parts. Many labs also have existing equipment that they desire to incorporate into a full optogenetics system. This may include lasers, cameras and potentially behavioral hardware and software platforms. In these situations a digital timing protocol (TTL) is often used to maintain synchronization, but there are subtleties (device latency, etc.) to this approach that are often overlooked. The goal of this project is to combine optogenetics and electrophysiological recording into a single turn-key, modular system for mice. The system will be capable of delivering multiple, selectable wavelengths of light to one or more specific brain regions while simultaneously recording electrical signals in rodents throughout the lifespan of the animal. All synchronization between the electrophysiological, mechanical and visual inputs, and optical and stimulus outputs will be precisely controlled via a master timing, digital input/output platform as well as sophisticated software timing techniques. The optogenetics light source and coupling fiber will be implemented on a standardized probe platform that can be easily, and accurately, implanted using stereotaxic techniques. When completed, this system will significantly improve scientific knowledge by providing a turn-key solution for researchers from multiple fields to seamlessly integrate optogenetic control alongside traditional aging and EEG-based studies.