ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Microfabricated multielectrode arrays are widely used for high throughput recording of extracellular neural activity, which is transforming our understanding of brain function in health and disease. Currently there is a plethora of electrode-based tools being developed at higher education and research institutions. However, taking such tools from the initial research and development phase to widespread adoption by the neuroscience community is often hindered by several obstacles. The objective of this work is to describe the development, application, and open dissemination of silicon microprobes for recording neural activity in vivo. APPROACH: We propose an open source dissemination platform as an alternative to commercialization. This framework promotes recording tools that are openly and inexpensively available to the community. The silicon microprobes are designed in house, but the fabrication and assembly processes are carried out by third party companies. This enables mass production, a key requirement for large-scale dissemination. MAIN RESULTS: We demonstrate the operation of silicon microprobes containing up to 256 electrodes in conjunction with optical fibers for optogenetic manipulations or fiber photometry. These data provide new insights about the relationship between calcium activity and neural spiking activity. We also describe the current state of dissemination of these tools. A file repository of resources related to designing, using, and sharing these tools is maintained online. SIGNIFICANCE: This paper is likely to be a valuable resource for both current and prospective users, as well as developers of silicon microprobes. Based on their extensive usage by a number of labs including ours, these tools present a promising alternative to other types of electrode-based technologies aimed at high throughput recording in head-fixed animals. This work also demonstrates the importance of validating fiber photometry measurements with simultaneous electrophysiological recordings.
Subject(s)
Electrodes, Implanted , Equipment Design/methods , Microtechnology/methods , Neurons/physiology , Optogenetics/methods , Silicon/chemistry , Animals , Electrodes, Implanted/supply & distribution , Equipment Design/instrumentation , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Microelectrodes/supply & distribution , Microtechnology/instrumentation , Optogenetics/instrumentation , Photometry/instrumentation , Photometry/methods , Silicon/supply & distributionABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Subthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) has rapidly become the standard surgical therapy for medically refractory Parkinson disease. However, in spite of its wide acceptance, there is considerable variability in the technical approach. This study details our technique and experience in performing microelectrode recording (MER) guided subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS in the treatment of Parkinson disease. METHODS: Forty patients underwent surgery for the implantation of 70 STN DBS electrodes. Stereotactic localization was performed using a combination of magnetic resonance and computed tomographic imaging. We used an array of three microelectrodes, separated by 2 mm, for physiological localization of the STN. The final location was selected based on MER and macrostimulation through the DBS electrode. RESULTS: The trajectory selected for the DBS electrode had an average pass through the STN of 5.6 +/- 0.4 mm on the left and 5.7 +/- 0.4 mm on the right. The predicted location was used in 42% of the cases but was modified by MER in the remaining 58%. Patients were typically discharged on the second postoperative day. Eighty-five percent of patients were sent home, 13% required short-term rehabilitation, and one patient required long-term nursing services. Seven complications occurred over 4 years. Four patients suffered small hemorrhages, one patient experienced a lead migration, one developed an infection of the pulse generator, and one patient suffered from a superficial cranial infection. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous bilateral MER-guided subthalamic DBS is a relatively safe and well-tolerated procedure. MER plays an important role in optimal localization of the DBS electrodes.
Subject(s)
Deep Brain Stimulation/methods , Electric Stimulation Therapy , Microelectrodes/supply & distribution , Parkinson Disease/surgery , Subthalamic Nucleus/surgery , Aged , Brain Mapping , Electrodes, Implanted , Evoked Potentials/physiology , Evoked Potentials/radiation effects , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Stereotaxic Techniques , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The etiology of trigeminal neuralgia appears to be vascular compression of the nerve at the root entry zone. However, the physiologic mechanism of trigeminal neuralgia remains uncertain. To gain insight into the pathophysiology of the disorder, we developed a method for intraoperative microneurographic recordings from the trigeminal ganglion of patients with trigeminal neuralgia. The recordings are performed immediately prior to standard percutaneous trigeminal gangliolysis for pain relief. Spontaneous or evoked single- and multi-unit action potential activity can be recorded and the location of receptive fields determined. The method should facilitate the testing of hypotheses concerning the origin of this unique pain disorder.
