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大量的神经元，这些神经元的活动和相互联系决定了回路的功能，这些回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。一个基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，典型的行为神经基础研究最多同时监测100个细胞，或者大约是总数的百万分之一。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，其记录位点是传统电极的50-100倍，并配有机载电子设备，可以对大量神经元进行前所未有的高质量记录。第二个是一种新颖的方式，以一种可控的方式将光传递到大脑中，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.