Neuropixels Opto: Combining high-resolution electrophysiology and optogenetics.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Bioengineering
• Electrophysiology

Background:

• High-resolution extracellular electrophysiology is crucial for studying neural populations.
• Optogenetics allows precise temporal control over specific cell types.
• Combining these techniques offers powerful insights into neural circuit function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate prototype Neuropixels Opto probes integrating electrophysiology and optogenetics.
• To assess the capability of these probes for simultaneous recording and stimulation in vivo.
• To demonstrate the utility of Neuropixels Opto probes in different brain regions and for cell-type identification.

Main Methods:

• Integration of electronic and photonic circuits into Neuropixels Opto probes.
• Probes feature 960 electrical recording sites and 28 light emitters (blue and red).
• In vivo testing in mouse cortex and striatum for recording, stimulation, and optotagging.

Main Results:

• High-quality neural recordings achieved alongside spatially addressable optogenetic stimulation.
• Differential activation and silencing of neurons at distinct cortical depths demonstrated.
• Efficient optotagging in deep brain structures, enabling parallel identification of two cell types.

Conclusions:

• Neuropixels Opto probes offer an unprecedented tool for neuroscience research.
• These probes facilitate simultaneous recording, identification, and manipulation of neuronal populations.
• The technology enables advanced studies of neural circuits with high spatial and temporal resolution.