Fiber Inspired Neural Probes for the Multifunctional Dynamic Brain Mapping

 描述（由申请人提供）：与特定行为相关的神经活动的高分辨率细胞特异性图谱的开发是现代神经科学的主要挑战之一。 这种动态电生理映射在具有强时间可变性的行为中特别困难，例如学习或记忆。 现有的高密度电生理平台的有限的长期稳定性以及在记录期间不能唯一地识别细胞类型进一步加剧了这一问题。 本项目致力于开发新型的多功能纤维神经探针（FINPs），用于长期同步神经记录以及光遗传学和药理学细胞类型鉴定。 具体来说，我们将联合收割机软聚合物基材料与纤维启发的制造工艺相结合，以创建一个平台，无缝集成数百微米大小的电极，波导和药物输送通道，同时最大限度地减少对慢性植入的潜在组织反应。 我们将与西雅图儿童研究所（SCRI）的William Shain博士合作，在慢性实验中描述我们的结构的组织相容性和长期功能性，他将分享他在组织学方法和图像分析方面的知识。 此外，建议FINPs的效用将在一个基础的神经科学研究有关的学习进行评估。 FINPs将用于测量活动（mPFC）神经元的变化，这些神经元在先前学习的恐惧反应消失时投射到基底外侧杏仁核（BLA）。 结合的行为和电生理实验将与Janelia Farm Research Campus（JFRC）的Alla Karpova博士密切合作进行，她将贡献她在mPFC生理学和细胞识别技术方面的专业知识。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The development of the high-resolution cell-specific map of the neural activity associated with a particular behavior presents one of the major challenges in modern neuroscience. This dynamic electrophysiological mapping is particularly difficult in behaviors with a strong temporal variability, such as learning or memory. It is furthr aggravated by the limited long-term stability of the existing high-density electrophysiological platforms and the inability to uniquely identify cell types during recording. This project strivesto develop novel multi-functional fiber-inspired neural probes (FINPs) for long- term simultaneous neural recording and optogenetic and pharmacological cell-type identification. Specifically, we will combine soft polymer-based materials with a fiber-inspired fabrication process to create a platform that seamlessly integrates hundreds of micrometer-size electrodes, waveguides and drug delivery channels, while minimizing the potential tissue response to chronic implantation. We will characterize our structures with respect to their tissue compatibility and long-term functionality in chronic experiments in collaboration with Dr. William Shain in Seattle Children's Research Institute (SCRI), who will share his knowledge of histological methods and image analysis. Furthermore, the utility of the proposed FINPs will be evaluated in a basic neuroscience study relevant to learning. FINPs will be used to measure the changes in activity (mPFC) neurons that project to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) as a previously learned fear response is extinguished. The combined behavioral and electrophysiological experiments will be performed in close collaboration with Dr. Alla Karpova at the Janelia Farm Research Campus (JFRC), who will contribute her expertise in mPFC physiology and cell identification techniques.