Novel optrodes for large-scale electrophysiology and site-specific stimulation

 描述(申请人提供)：哺乳动物的大脑包含非常多的神经元，它们的活动和相互连接决定了电路的功能，这些电路监控我们的感觉环境，决定我们的运动选择，形成记忆，并指导所有行为。然而，我们并不了解这些回路的活动是如何控制大脑活动的。一个根本的限制是无法在任何时候监测和控制相当一部分脑细胞的活动-因此，行为神经基础的典型研究最多同时监测大约100个细胞，约占总数的百万分之一。为了深入了解电路计算是如何进行的，并随后控制行为，我们将开发两项新技术。第一种是一种全新的电极，具有比典型电极多50-100倍的记录位置，并带有机载电子设备，允许对大量神经元进行前所未有的高质量记录。第二种是一种以受控方式将光传输到大脑的新方法，以便能够高精度地扰乱神经元的活动。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The brains of mammals contain an extraordinarily large number of neurons whose activity and interconnections determine the function of circuits that monitor our sensory environment, dictate our motor choices, form memories, and guide all behavior. However we do not understand how the activity of these circuits governs brain activity. A fundamental limitation has been the inability to monitor and control the activity of a significan fraction of brain cells at any one time - thus typical studies of the neural underpinnings of behavior monitor at most ~100 cells simultaneously, or approximately one millionth of the total. In order to gain insight how circuit computations are carried out and subsequently control behavior, we will develop two novel technologies. The first is a radical new class of electrode with 50-100 times more recording sites than is typical and with on-board electronics, allowing unprecedented quality recordings of high number of neurons. The second is a novel way to deliver light into the brain in a controlled manner in order to be able to perturb the activity of neurons with high precision.