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中的主要挑战之一。这种动态电生理标测在学习或记忆等具有很强时间变异性的行为中尤其困难。现有的高密度电生理平台的长期稳定性有限，在记录过程中无法唯一识别细胞类型，这进一步加剧了这一问题。本项目致力于开发新型多功能纤维激励神经探针(FINP)，用于长期同时进行神经记录以及光遗传学和药理学细胞类型鉴定。具体地说，我们将把基于软聚合物的材料与光纤启发的制造工艺相结合，创建一个无缝集成数百微米大小的电极、波导和药物输送通道的平台，同时将潜在的组织对慢性植入的反应降至最低。我们将与西雅图儿童研究所(SCRI)的William Shain博士合作，在慢性实验中从组织相容性和长期功能方面表征我们的结构，他将分享他在组织学方法和图像分析方面的知识。此外，建议的FINP的效用将在一项与学习相关的基础神经科学研究中进行评估。FINPs将被用来测量当先前学习的恐惧反应消失时，投射到杏仁基底外侧核(BLA)的活动(MPFC)神经元的变化。联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，后者将贡献她在mPFC生理学和细胞鉴定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.