Acute Single-Unit Multi-Electrode Recordings from the Brainstem of Head-Fixed Mice

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Electrophysiology
• Surgical techniques

Background:

• Silicon multielectrode recordings offer high temporal resolution for neuronal activity.
• Recording from deep brainstem structures poses challenges due to proximity to major blood vessels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an angled probe insertion technique for accessing brainstem nuclei.
• To enable high-resolution neuronal recordings in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) during REM sleep and anesthesia.

Main Methods:

• An angled trajectory approach was developed to avoid superior sagittal and transverse venous sinuses.
• Multi-electrode recordings were performed in head-fixed mice targeting the vlPAG.
• Recordings were conducted before and during sevoflurane anesthesia.

Main Results:

• The angled approach successfully and reproducibly accessed the vlPAG.
• Single-unit, multi-electrode recordings were obtained from the vlPAG and surrounding nuclei.
• Neuronal activity was captured with high temporal resolution under both awake and anesthetized conditions.

Conclusions:

• The described angled insertion method provides reliable access to deep brainstem structures like the vlPAG.
• This technique facilitates high-temporal-resolution neural recordings crucial for studying REM sleep and anesthesia.
• Advances understanding of brainstem circuits involved in REM sleep and anesthetic mechanisms.