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

描述（由申请人提供）：哺乳动物的大脑包含非常大量的神经元，其活动和相互连接决定了监控我们的感觉环境、支配我们的运动选择、形成记忆和指导所有行为的电路的功能。然而，我们不知道这些回路的活动如何控制大脑活动。一个基本的限制是无法在任何时候监测和控制脑细胞的重要部分的活动-因此，行为神经基础的典型研究最多同时监测100个细胞，或总数的百万分之一。为了深入了解电路计算是如何进行的，并随后控制行为，我们将开发两种新技术。第一种是一种全新的电极，其记录位点是典型电极的50-100倍，并且带有板载电子器件，可以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递到大脑中的新方法，以便能够高精度地干扰神经元的活动。

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.