A novel tetrode microdrive for simultaneous multi-neuron recording from different regions of primate brain

Abstract

A unique custom-made tetrode microdrive for recording from large numbers of neurons in several areas of primate brain is described as a means of assessing simultaneous neural activity in cortical and subcortical structures in nonhuman primates (NHPs) performing behavioral tasks. The microdrive device utilizes tetrode technology with up to six ultra-thin microprobe guide tubes (0.1 mm) that can be independently positioned, each containing reduced diameter tetrode and/or hexatrode microwires (0.02 mm) for recording and isolating single neuron activity. The microdrive device is mounted within the standard NHP cranial well and allows traversal of brain depths up to 40.0 mm. The advantages of this technology are demonstrated via simultaneously recorded large populations of neurons with tetrode type probes during task performance from a) primary motor cortex and deep brain structures (caudate-putamen and hippocampus) and b) multiple layers within the prefrontal cortex. The means to characterize interactions of well-isolated ensembles of neurons recorded simultaneously from different regions, as shown with this device, has not been previously available for application in primate brain. The device has extensive application to primate models for the detection and study of inoperative or maladaptive neural circuits related to human neurological disorders.

Handcrafted Electrocorticography Electrodes for a Rodent Behavioral Model

“…There are many reports demonstrating the use of stablohm wires for biomedical research. Stablohm wires have been implemented into tetrode technologies to act as low impedance wires and isolate signals of extracellular spikes [49][50][51][52][53]. Other research have also used stablohm wires as recording electrodes in their electrode arrays and implanted into different regions of an animal's brain for neural recordings [54][55][56][57][58][59][60].…”

A System for 256-Channel in Vitro Recording of the Electrophysiological Activity of Brain Tissue

“…Many hardware setups have been proposed for multi-point recording by using metal electrodes and glass micropipettes [9,10]. The key issue in such setups is the electrode number and positioning.…”

Development of tube tetrodes and a multi-tetrode drive for deep structure electrophysiological recordings in the macaque brain

“…Further, splaying of the tetrode tips has been a valid concern during chronic implantation (Jog et al, 2002). Because of these constraints, their use for electrophysiological recordings in primates in deep structures has been relatively sparse and just recently reported (Erickson and Desimone, 1999;Erickson et al, 2000;Feingold et al, 2012;Santos et al, 2012;Skaggs et al, 2007;Thome et al, 2012). Among these, earlier studies employed tetrodes for electrical recording in the perirhinal cortex of the macaque using a telescoping guide tube system with twisted wire tetrodes glued inside 30 gauge stainless steel tubes (Erickson and Desimone, 1999;Erickson et al, 2000).…”

“…Two further recent reports have demonstrated the ability to target several brain structures, both superficial and deep, simultaneously by developing novel microdrives (Feingold et al, 2012;Santos et al, 2012). The main limitation of the reported techniques is the larger cannulae holding the electrodes rather than the electrode itself, since both would enter the brain tissue.…”

“…(Feingold et al, 2012) to 30 gauge (OD: 0.012 in.) (Santos et al, 2012), and would cause more tissue damage in their path as compared to the probe they enclose, which is smaller in diameter (∼0.12 mm, Feingold et al, 2012;∼0.07 mm, Skaggs et al, 2007; ∼0.06 to 0.08 mm, Santos et al, 2012). These cannulae, however are essential in order to reach the distance the tetrode needs to travel in the brain without bending.…”