Prosthetic System for Large-Scale Recording and Manipulation of Neural Circuit Activity in Non-Human Primates

BRAIN Initiative的基本目标是了解分布式环境中的动态活动 神经回路调节人类的认知行为。非人灵长类动物（NHP）是研究哺乳动物的关键动物模型。 这种努力，由于它的大脑与人类的大脑非常相似， 认知任务然而，开发和测试NHP中神经回路活动的新假设， 介导的认知功能受到几种技术限制的严重限制。我们建议设计， 构建和测试“下一代”颅安装式假肢， 猴子和量身定制，提供最佳的记录覆盖率几乎任何实验计划。器具 将使用高分辨率MRI扫描的大脑和颅骨解剖重建进行设计。 器械将包含一个集成的头部保持器系统，可准确、轻松地安装到颅骨上 表面，与MRI兼容，并包括能够半慢性植入的密封入口 (and易于移除）用于大规模电生理学和神经回路的多个模块化装置 操纵在具体目标1中，我们将设计、构建和台架测试MRI兼容设备， 与猴子头骨的匹配度在具体目标2中，我们将进行一项体内试验， 在两个NHP的颅装置的性能，以评估其未来使用的整体可行性。成果 这项研究有可能改变大规模电生理研究的方式， NHP。通过减轻测量和操纵大规模神经回路的困难， 将使更多的研究人员大大扩展他们的研究范围，从而在理解方面取得快速进展 认知脑功能

The fundamental objective of the BRAIN Initiative is to understand how dynamic activity in distributed neural circuits mediates human cognitive behavior. The non-human primate (NHP) is a key animal model in this effort, due to the close similarities of its brain to that of humans and its ability to perform complex cognitive tasks. However, developing and testing novel hypotheses for how neural circuit activity in NHPs mediates cognitive function is severely constrained by several technical limitations. We propose to design, build, and test a “next generation” cranially-mounted prosthetic appliance that can be configured for individual monkeys and tailored to provide optimal recording coverage for virtually any experimental plan. The appliance will be designed using anatomical reconstructions of the brain and skull from high resolution MRI scans. Appliances will incorporate an integrated head holder system, mount accurately and easily onto the cranial surface, be MRI-compatible, and include hermetically sealed access ports that enable semi-chronic implantation (and easy removal) of multiple modular devices for large-scale electrophysiology and neural circuit manipulation. In specific aim 1, we will design, build, and bench test an MRI-compatible appliance that can be custom fit to the cranium of an individual monkey. In specific aim 2, we will conduct an in vivo test of the performance of the cranial appliance in two NHPs to evaluate its overall feasibility for future use. The outcome of this research has the potential to transform the way large-scale electrophysiological studies are conducted in NHPs. By alleviating the difficulties in measuring and manipulating large-scale neural circuits, this approach will enable more researchers to greatly expand their scope of inquiry, leading to rapid progress in understanding cognitive brain function.