{"id":5584,"date":"2012-07-18T22:28:05","date_gmt":"2012-07-18T22:28:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mtlsites.mit.edu\/annual_reports\/2012\/?p=5584"},"modified":"2012-07-18T22:28:05","modified_gmt":"2012-07-18T22:28:05","slug":"scalable-3-d-microelectrode-recording-architectures-for-characterization-of-optogenetically-modulated-neural-dynamics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mtlsites.mit.edu\/annual_reports\/2012\/scalable-3-d-microelectrode-recording-architectures-for-characterization-of-optogenetically-modulated-neural-dynamics\/","title":{"rendered":"Scalable 3-D Microelectrode Recording Architectures for Characterization of Optogenetically Modulated Neural Dynamics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Optogenetics is commonly used for precision modulation of the activity of specific neurons within neural circuits [1<\/a>] <\/sup>, but assessing the impact of optogenetic neuromodulation on the neural activity of local and global circuits remains difficult. Our collaborative team recently initiated a project (Scholvin et al., SFN 2011) to design and implement 3-D silicon-micromachined electrode arrays with customizable electrode locations, targetable to defined neural substrates distributed in a 3-D pattern throughout a neural network in the mammalian brain and compatible with simultaneous use of a diversity of existing light-delivery devices.<\/p>\n

We have developed a series of innovations aimed at facilitating the scalability aspect of these probes, i.e., aspects of probe design that should enable them to scale to 1000 channels of neural recording or more.\u00a0 First, we have developed streamlined electrode fabrication methodologies that enable micromachined probes to be first fabricated using conventional silicon micromachining, then rapidly assembled into custom 3-D arrays, with semi-automated formation of the necessary electrical connections and mechanical constraints.\u00a0 Second, we have developed a set of surgical and insertion technologies towards the goal of enabling the insertion of electrode arrays with a high number of electrode shanks into the brain, while minimizing probe insertion damage.\u00a0 Finally, to facilitate scaling of the channel count beyond what is feasible with external amplifiers, we are exploring new approaches for integration of amplifier circuits directly on the probe arrays themselves, to remove bottlenecks associated with connecting of probes to the outside world.<\/p>\n\n\t\t