Chronically implanted Neuropixels probes enable high-yield recordings in freely moving mice

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Electrophysiology
• Behavioral Neuroscience

Background:

• High-yield electrophysiology with Neuropixels probes allows recording from hundreds of neurons with high signal-to-noise.
• Existing Neuropixels probe setups are not ideal for freely moving mice, limiting studies of neural circuits in natural contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel device for chronic implantation of Neuropixels probes in freely moving mice.
• To enable long-term, high-density neural recordings during ethological behaviors.
• To facilitate the reuse of valuable Neuropixels probes.

Main Methods:

• Design and implementation of a novel device for customizing Neuropixels probes for chronic implantation.
• Chronic implantation surgeries in mice.
• Recording neural activity from hundreds of neurons during ethological behaviors over several weeks.
• Demonstration of probe explantation and reuse.

Main Results:

• Successful chronic implantation of Neuropixels probes in freely moving mice.
• High-density neural recordings of hundreds of neurons during weeks of behavioral experiments.
• Demonstrated ease of use and utility of the novel device.
• Successful explantation and reuse of Neuropixels probes, reducing costs and enabling longitudinal studies.

Conclusions:

• The developed device facilitates chronic Neuropixels probe recordings in freely moving mice, advancing the study of neural circuits during natural behaviors.
• This approach allows for long-term, high-density neural recordings and enables the cost-effective reuse of expensive Neuropixels probes.
• The provided technical details empower other researchers to adopt this methodology for their studies.