Prosthetic System for Distributed Neuronal Recording

描述(申请人提供)：拟议研究的目标是通过开发一类新的仪器来促进我们对高级大脑功能的理解，该仪器将使研究人员能够同时监测从数十到数百个独立可移动的微电极的神经元活动，这些微电极半慢性地植入清醒的、行为正常的猴子大脑的广泛区域。为了实现这一目标，我们计划设计和建造一个集成系统，由一个形状适配室、一个模块化的、可更换的引导阵列和微驱动器组成，用于在警觉的猕猴大脑中植入并独立操作多达240个微电极。该系统将为整个大脑半球提供高密度电生理通道，并能够从许多皮质和/或皮质下位置同时记录持续数周或数月的单位和局部场电位活动。我们将在三只猕猴身上植入和测试该系统，以便i)优化系统的设计，最大限度地减少制造所需的时间和费用，ii)确定系统的最有效设计，以便于手术植入，确保其机械稳定性，减少颅内感染的机会，并为植入物周围的伤口边缘提供最好的护理，iii)评估电生理记录的长期质量和稳定性，以及iv)评估植入的电极和导向管对脑组织组织结构的影响。这种方法将确保系统在设计上既通用又模块化，同时优化其能力并将其制造成本降至最低。建成后，拟议的系统将为研究团体提供一种新技术，用于长期监测非人类灵长类动物大脑中分散位置的神经元活动。这一技术进步将为研究高级大脑功能的神经基础开辟广阔的新机会。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of the proposed research is to advance our understanding of higher brain functions by developing a new class of instrumentation that will enable investigators to simultaneously monitor neuronal activity from tens to hundreds of independently movable microelectrodes that are semi-chronically implanted in widespread regions of the brains of awake, behaving monkeys. To accomplish this objective, we plan to design and build an integrated system, consisting of a form-fitting chamber and a modular, replaceable guide array and microdrive, for implanting and independently manipulating up to 240 microelectrodes in the brains of alert macaque monkeys. The system will provide high density electrophysiological access to an entire cerebral hemisphere and enable simultaneous recording of unit and local field potential activity from many cortical and/or subcortical locations for periods lasting many weeks or months. We will implant and test the system in three macaque monkeys in order to i) optimize the design of the system and minimize the time and expense required for its manufacture, ii) determine the most effective design of the system to facilitate its surgical implantation, insure its mechanical stability, reduce the chances of intracranial infection, and provide for the best possible care of the wound margins surrounding the implant, iii) evaluate the long-term quality and stability of the electrophysiological recordings, and iv) evaluate the effects of the implanted electrodes and guide tubes on the histological structure of the brain tissue. This approach will insure that the system is both generic and modular in its design while optimizing its capabilities and minimizing the costs for its manufacture. When completed, the proposed system will provide the research community with a new technology for long-term monitoring of neuronal activity from distributed locations in the brain of non-human primates. This technological advance will open up vast new opportunities for studying the neural basis of higher brain functions.