Large-scale Neural Ensemble Recording System For Rats

In recent years, Large-scale neural ensemble in vivo recording technology becomes more and more popular in physiology researching. Large-scale recording from neuronal ensembles now offer the opportunity to test these hundreds of neuron in specifically brain region of free move animal in the same time. Thus, it becomes powerful tool for analyze mechanisms of neural network encoding. However, this recording technology requires many complicated manipulation, for example, designing and making the in vivo recording system, surgery for embedding chronic unit recording, hardware for multi-channel data recording, automated and efficient spike-sorting algorithms for effective isolation and identification of single neurons, and new mathematical insights for the analysis of network properties. In this research, we construct a large-scale neural ensemble in vivo recording system for rat base on the microdrive for 64-channel independently adjustable chronic unit recording. Through multi-channel recording techniques, we reviewed the firing patterns of hippocampal CA1 interneurons and rhythm oscillations of field potentials where they located.The 64-channel independently adjustable microdrive chronic in vivo recording system include: polymicro-pipe induce bushing, 16-screws independently adjustable system, 64-channel pcb connecter. This in vivo recording system can provide more stabilization for chronic experiment on rats. Independent screws adjustable system can position each electrode. 64-channel pcb connecter would save part of research cost and producing time for reuseableness and efficient connecting.Through the multi-channel recording techniques for rats, we recorded neural spike and local field potential in CA1 region of hippocampus of spontaneous epilepsy rats. Data analysis suggest that local field potential of spontaneous epilepsy show Theta frequency (4-12Hz), and it's frequency depresses between each circle. During epilepsy, spike time of pyramidal cells and interneuron both correlated with epileptic oscillation.