A hardware/software system for electrophysiology “supersessions” in marmosets

Abstract

We introduce a straightforward, robust method for recording and analyzing spiking activity over timeframes longer than a single session, with primary application to the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). Although in theory the marmoset's smooth brain allows for broad deployment of powerful tools in primate cortex, in practice marmosets do not typically engage in long experimental sessions akin to rhesus monkeys. This potentially limits their value for detailed, quantitative neurophysiological study. Here we describe chronically-implanted arrays with a 3D arrangement of electrodes yielding stable single and multi- unit responses, and an analytic method for creating "supersessions" combining that array data across multiple experiments. We could match units across different recording sessions over several weeks, demonstrating the feasibility of pooling data over sessions. This could be a key tool for extending the viability of marmosets for dissecting neural computations in primate cortex.

Running modulates primate and rodent visual cortex differently

“…The PXIe chassis sent outputs to a dedicated computer running Open Ephys with an Open Ephys acquisition board additionally attached to record timing events sent from the Datapixx I/O box. Spike sorting on data acquired using N-Form arrays was performed using in-house code to track and merge data from identified single units across multiple recording sessions [55]. Spike sorting for data acquired using Neuropixels probes was performed using Kilosort 2.5.…”

Neuropixels 2.0: A miniaturized high-density probe for stable, long-term brain recordings

“…To provide prolonged high quality recordings, considerable effort has been devoted to the development of recording devices that are flexible (Fu et al, 2017;Chung et al, 2019;Musk, 2019) and/or <10 µm in size (Guitchounts et al, 2013;Luan et al, 2017;Egert et al, 2020;Welle et al, 2020) to minimize damage to tissue, but these approaches make insertion difficult and do not scale to large numbers of recording sites per inserted shank. Moreover, high quality signals can be recorded for more than eight weeks even with relatively rigid and larger devices such as wire tetrodes (Recce and O'Keefe, 1989;Dhawale et al, 2017), Utah arrays (Maynard et al, 1997;Chestek et al, 2011), and silicon probes (Okun et al, 2016;Jun et al, 2017;Muthmann et al, 2020;Schoonover et al, 2020). However, neither flexible nor rigid devices have been able to consistently record large numbers of identified individual neurons over weeks or months (Dhawale et al, 2017;Fu et al, 2017).…”

Neuropixels 2.0: A miniaturized high-density probe for stable, long-term brain recordings

“…To provide such stable recordings and minimize tissue damage, considerable effort has been devoted to developing probes that are flexible (28)(29)(30) and/or <10 mm in size (31)(32)(33)(34), but these qualities make insertion difficult and limit the number of recording sites per inserted shank. Moreover, high-quality signals can be recorded for more than 8 weeks even with relatively rigid and large devices, such as wire tetrodes (35,36), Utah arrays (37,38), traditional silicon probes (39)(40)(41), and Neuropixels probes (6,25,42). However, neither flexible nor rigid devices have been able to consistently record large numbers of identified individual neurons over weeks or months (28,36,39,(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48).…”