A simple head-mountable LED device for chronic stimulation of optogenetic molecules in freely moving mice

We describe a low-cost, small, remotely triggerable LED device for wireless control of transcranial optical stimulation of cortical neurons, for use in freely moving mice. The device is easily mountable on the head of a mouse with a high-polymer block. Using the Thy1-ChR2-YFP transgenic mice, we demonstrate that the device is capable of remotely triggering muscle twitches upon activation of the primary motor cortex in freely moving conditions.