Large-scale high-density brain-wide neural recording in nonhuman primates

Area of Science:

• Systems Neuroscience
• Neurotechnology
• Electrophysiology

Background:

• Integrated silicon electrodes have advanced systems neuroscience by enabling large-scale neural population recordings with single-cell resolution.
• Current technologies have limitations for nonhuman primate research, despite their value as models of human cognition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, fabricate, and evaluate Neuropixels 1.0-NHP, a high channel count linear electrode array for large-scale neural recordings in macaque brains.
• To enable simultaneous recordings from superficial and deep brain structures in large animals.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of two versions of the Neuropixels 1.0-NHP probe: 4416 electrodes on a 45 mm shank and 2496 electrodes on a 25 mm shank.
• Programmatic selection of 384 channels per probe for simultaneous multi-area recording.
• Demonstration of recording capabilities in macaque brains.

Main Results:

• Successful recording from over 3000 single neurons in a single session.
• Simultaneous recording from over 1000 neurons using multiple probes.
• Demonstrated ability to access both superficial and deep brain structures.

Conclusions:

• Neuropixels 1.0-NHP significantly increases recording access and scalability for systems neuroscience in nonhuman primates.
• This technology facilitates new experimental approaches, including fine-grained electrophysiological characterization and brain-wide recording.
• Enables detailed study of functional connectivity and neural population dynamics in primate models.