A Lightweight FPGA-Based Platform for Low-Power Neural Recording in Freely Moving Animals

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Long-term electrophysiological studies are crucial for understanding sleep mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases.
• Tethered recording setups limit natural animal behavior during sleep studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a low-power, wireless system for high-resolution neural recordings.
• To enable continuous, naturalistic sleep monitoring in animal models.

Main Methods:

• A custom FPGA-based stack was designed to control the Intan RHD2132 electrophysiology chip.
• The system supports real-time signal processing, data transmission, and wireless streaming at 20 kHz.
• Low power consumption was prioritized for extended 24-hour operation.

Main Results:

• A lightweight, robust system for wireless neural recording was successfully implemented.
• Continuous multi-channel recordings with real-time wireless streaming and data storage were achieved.
• The system facilitates closed-loop stimulation and onboard data compression.

Conclusions:

• This technology enables long-term, high-resolution sleep monitoring essential for neurodegenerative disease research.
• It may help identify early electrophysiological biomarkers of cognitive decline in conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
• The system has potential translational applications for understanding sleep's role in neurological disorders.