Grasshopper DCMD: An Undergraduate Electrophysiology Lab for Investigating Single-Unit Responses to...

Area of Science:

• Systems Neuroscience
• Neuroethology
• Computational Neuroscience

Background:

• Investigating animal escape behaviors offers insights into neural circuits.
• Undergraduate laboratories can benefit from hands-on systems-level neuroscience research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe accessible, hands-on exercises for undergraduate neuroscience labs.
• To demonstrate neurophysiology, neuroethology, and neural computation using grasshopper escape responses.
• To enhance student understanding and interest in neural systems driving behavior.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Backyard Brains SpikerBox bioamplifier for extracellular recording of the descending contralateral movement detector (DCMD) neuron.
• Employed an open-source iOS app (Spike Recorder) for presenting looming visual stimuli and synchronizing neural recordings.
• Developed an in-app spike-sorting algorithm for data analysis and provided methods for data export.

Main Results:

• Successfully recorded reliable DCMD neuron activity in 87.7% of sessions (50 out of 57 grasshoppers).
• Demonstrated quantitative investigation of the escape system by adjusting simulated approaching object parameters.
• Field testing showed 67% of students could complete the exercise in a two-hour lab session.

Conclusions:

• The described protocol provides a viable and engaging method for teaching systems neuroscience concepts.
• The experiment effectively enhances student interest in the neural basis of behavior.
• Affordable technology enables practical exploration of neurophysiology and neural computation in an undergraduate setting.