The brain is a massively interconnected network of specialized circuits. Even primary sensory areas, once thought to support relatively simple, feed-forward processing, are now known to be parts of complex feedback circuits. All brain functions depend on millisecond timescale interactions across these brain networks, but current approaches cannot measure or manipulate these interactions with sufficient resolution to resolve them. We need the capacity to measure and manipulate the activity large ensembles of neurons distributed across anatomically or functionally connected circuits. That technology does not yet exist, a lack that motivates our efforts to develop a new system for large scale, multisite recording and manipulation that takes integrates biocompatible polymer electrodes, new headstage amplifiers, a new Ethernet-based data transmission system and open source, real-time cross-platform software. This system will support recordings and manipulations across thousands of channels in awake, behaving animals as well as closed loop feedback for the next generation of experiments.
Our Specific Aims are 1) To develop new high-density, double-sided polymer recording/manipulation probes, 2) To develop new high-density headstage chips, integrated electrode- headstage assemblies and surgical techniques for implanting them, and 3) To develop a low-cost, powerful data acquisition system with open-source software and real-time capabilities. We have assembled a unique team of scientists and engineers with expertise spanning polymer electrode technology, integrated electronics, real-time systems, large-scale recording, and commercial experience. Our combined expertise will allow us to create and provide to the neuroscience community an integrated system that will allow for large scale, distributed measurements and manipulation of neural activity across many sites in awake, behaving animals.

Public Health Relevance

All brain functions rely on complex interactions across distributed circuits, but the tools to measure and manipulate these circuits remain primitive. We have assembled a unique team of scientists and engineers with expertise spanning polymer electrode technology, integrated electronics, real-time systems, large-scale recording, and commercial experience. Our combined expertise will allow us to create and provide to the neuroscience community an integrated system that will allow for large scale, distributed measurements and manipulation of neural activity across many sites in awake, behaving animals.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
5U01NS090537-03
Application #
9128077
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZNS1-SRB-G (77))
Program Officer
Langhals, Nick B
Project Start
2014-09-30
Project End
2017-07-31
Budget Start
2016-08-01
Budget End
2017-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
$834,188
Indirect Cost
$86,146
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
094878337
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94118
Chung, Jason E; Magland, Jeremy F; Barnett, Alex H et al. (2017) A Fully Automated Approach to Spike Sorting. Neuron 95:1381-1394.e6