Neural Recording and Simulation Tools to Address the Mesoscale Gap

University Of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston, Houston TX

Investigators

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Abstract

Abstract We have designed a novel approach to perform multi-scale recordings in the brain across regions and depths. This tool, referred to as DISC for its directional and scalable sensing, is an array of microelectrodes surrounding the lead body and designed to maximize the phenomenon of “substrate shielding”. Electro-quasistatic modeling and in vivo data demonstrate significant improvements over microwires and ring electrodes, including (i) signal amplitude, (ii) signal-to-noise ratio, and (iii) source separation in classification testing. DISC measures local field potentials in stereo and with significant amplification, which is especially powerful in isolating sources at the mesoscale. Several critical challenges for the propagation of this technology are the inherent limitations in photolithographic manufacturing methods, and our continuing inability to relate the local field potential with detailed circuit function. To address these two challenges, we will develop a revolutionary manufacturing method for microelectronics based on aerosol jet printing (Aim 1) and develop a biophysical model that can predict specific voltage outputs (Aim 2). The amplification and directionality of DISC when combined with biophysical forward models will be a unique and power tool to improve the utility of the local field potential. The validation of the hardware and software tools will be performed using chronic rat and macaque auditory experiments. DISC will demonstrate both laminar and network-wide recordings in the auditory core during audio stimulation. We will analyze the ability of DISC recordings to discriminate the best frequency circuits and contrast this with a variety of virtual macroelectrodes, including the ring electrode currently used in sEEG. We believe this multidisciplinary work will culminate in 3 critical tools being made available to the neuroscience and clinical communities: (1) a stereotactically-guided depth array capable of chronic, low-noise wideband recordings that excel at high-resolution mesoscale information; (2) a detailed, multi-scale forward model (NetPyNE/Brainstorm pipeline) that produces simulated voltage readings specific to several device types including DISC; and (3) a high-resolution inverse model, which will extend source localization to mesoscale voltage inputs. The software development will be open-source.