Next-generation neural recording platform for the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience

莱斯布里奇大学加拿大行为神经科学中心(CCBN)北极星脑动力学小组的五名PI将开发下一代、高通量、神经记录和行为分析平台，该平台将支持现在和未来的实验。这些研究人员在使用包含48-68条导线的手工设备从大脑中记录的神经元集合中解码信息方面走在了前列。然而，神经元的产量往往不足以使用现代数据分析技术进行准确的解码。最近的制造进步现在允许探测器在硅柄上有数千个记录位置，这大大增加了神经元的产量，使数据科学方法成为可能。该项目的第一部分将使我们的基础设施现代化，以便使用这些探测器。这对于我们采用机器学习和其他现代统计技术是必要的，以便继续在理解大脑如何形成和使用神经表征来处理信息方面保持领先地位。从神经集合中解码信息需要我们对感觉输入有良好的控制。我们在使用虚拟现实(VR)方面取得了重要进展，(1)模拟现实条件，(2)引入现实生活中不可能实现的操作，(3)对多模式感觉输入进行控制。这个项目的第二部分将使我们能够扩展我们的VR设备的能力，在记录神经活动的同时，呈现视觉、听觉、触觉和嗅觉提示，以及食物奖励和喷气惩罚。这项新技术将允许我们记录更多的神经元，更好地跟踪刺激和输出，这是提取大脑如何处理信息以形成记忆和做出决定的更深层次知识所必需的。此外，由探测器实现的自动化数据预处理和分析的进步将使实验能够更快地完成。为了实现这一目标，北极星脑动力学集团将利用三项重要能力：1)我们在高密度电生理学方面的经验；2)我们在计算神经科学和数据分析方面的强大背景；以及3)我们熟练的受训人员团队。拟议的RTI拨款将使研究能够发现学习和记忆、决策、运动、癫痫、药物成瘾、抑郁症和阿尔茨海默病的机制。这也将为学员提供在计算神经科学、机器学习和数据科学领域发展成功所需的工具。

Five PIs of the Polaris Brain Dynamics Group at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (CCBN) at the University of Lethbridge will develop a next-generation, high-throughput, neural recording and behavioral analysis platform that will support experiments now and into the future. These investigators are at the forefront of decoding information from ensembles of neurons recorded in the brain using hand-made devices containing 48-68 wires. However, the yield of neurons is often insufficient for accurate decoding using modern data analytic techniques. Recent manufacturing advances now allow probes to have thousands of recording sites on a silicon shank, which significantly increases neuron yield to enable data-science approaches. The first part of this project will allow us to modernize our infrastructure in order to use these probes. This is necessary for us to adopt machine learning and other modern statistical techniques in order to continue to be leaders in understanding how the brain forms and uses neural representations to process information. Decoding information from neural ensembles requires that we have good control over sensory inputs. We have made important advances in the use of virtual reality (VR) to (1) mimic real-life conditions, (2) introduce manipulations not possible in real-life and (3) exert control over multimodal sensory inputs. This second part of this project will allow us to expand the capacity of our VR apparatus to present visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory cues, as well as food rewards and air puff punishments, while recording neural activity. This new technology will allow us to record more neurons and better track stimuli and outputs, which are necessary to extract deeper knowledge about how the brain processes information to form memories and make decisions. Furthermore, advances in automated data preprocessing and analysis enabled by the probes will allow experiments to be completed much faster. To accomplish this, the Polaris Brain Dynamics Group will leverage three important competencies: 1) our experience in high-density electrophysiology; 2) our strong background in computational neuroscience and data analysis; and 3) our team of skilled trainees. The proposed RTI grant will enable studies to make discoveries about the mechanisms of learning and memory, decision making, movements, epilepsy, drug addiction, depression, and Alzheimer's disease. This will also give trainees the tools they need to develop successful careers in computational neuroscience, machine learning, and data science.