Behavior and Electrophysiology Core

Feinstein Institute For Medical Research, Manhasset NY

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT – Behavioral and Electrophysiology Core The Behavioral and Electrophysiology Core (BEC) has been integral to this Program Project since its inception. During this funding cycle, the BEC will facilitate the execution of all the studies that require behavior and electrophysiology in Project 1 and Project 2. There w2ill be close and continuous interactions with all the Program members, as we provide a unified environment and facilities for behavioral and electrophysiological studies critical to both projects. The BEC will perform behavioral assays in DNRAb+ mice that will carry lupus antibodies binding to DNA and cross-reacting with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (DNRAbs). Mice carrying innocuous antibodies (DNRAb– mice) will be used as controls. We are prepared to assay mice in tasks assessing spatial cognition, social cognition, learning and memory, affective behaviors, as well as sensory and motor functions. All the behavioral data will be acquired and analyzed by computer hardware and software (Ethovision-XT by Noldus, RotaRod2 by Med Associates, Wirecast, MATLAB-based code). All genetically modified mice will be subjected to a full phenotypic analysis. The BEC will conduct electroencephalogram (EEG) studies in individuals with SLE while they are performing spatial reasoning activities. We plan to use EEG headwear with dry electrodes (Ultracortex by OpenBCI), which will be a wireless and portable system that is comfortable for an individual to wear for extended periods. The analysis of the EEG data will be focused on isolating the theta and gamma frequency bands from the EEG channels and studying the strength of theta–gamma frequency-amplitude coupling during spatial reasoning. The BEC will have all the software tools needed for data analysis (OriginPro by OriginLab, Spike2 version 8 by Cambridge Electronic Design, NeuroExplorer version 5 by Nex Technologies, MountainSort, DeepLabCut, and MATLAB) and reliable data storage and backup system (Windows Server with 80 TB of storage) that will be able to handle the large data sets that are an integral component of state-of-the-art behavioral and electrophysiological data collection. The Core Director will provide the investigators in the Program Project with assistance in analyzing the raw data, creating summary figures and reports, and helping in the preparation of final figures for publication of the results. In summary, the availability of centralized resources in the BEC will allow for all murine and human tests to be done under similar conditions, by the same trained researchers, and following the same protocol guidelines. We believe that by utilizing centralized resources for behavior and electrophysiology, we will adhere to strict experimental timelines and we will deliver highly reproducible outcomes.