Real-Time Animal Telemetry

Board Of Trustees Of Illinois State University, Normal IL

Investigators

Abstract

A grant has been awarded to Dr. Paul A. Garris at Illinois State University to develop a new instrument for wireless monitoring of neural activity in the brain of awake, unrestrained animals. The new instrument, called real-time animal telemetry (RAT), will combine two powerful technologies; microsensors for spatially and temporally resolved measurements, and digital telemetry for remote data transmission and system control with high speed and high fidelity. The primary advantage of RAT will be sub-second characterization of brain function with minimal perturbation of behavior. The proposed RAT instrument holds great promise for advancing the study of brain-behavior relationships. RAT will be a modular and multifunctional instrument, a design that advances development and affords flexibility to its application. Several types of measurement techniques will be incorporated into RAT: Voltammetry which monitors the chemistry of the brain and electrophysiology which measures brain bioelectrical activity. Combined, the techniques assess the release of a neurotransmitter and its postsynaptic effect to obtain a more integrative view of brain function. Although great strides have recently been made applying real-time voltammetry and electrophysiology to awake animals, the connection between sensor and recording equipment is made by a cable tether. Unfortunately, the hard connection affects behavior and hinders or even prevents investigation of important paradigms such as those involving social interactions and complex environments. To overcome this problem, the new instrument will use a wireless link. Moreover, because real-time voltammetric and electrophysiological measurements are very susceptible to transmission artifacts, RAT will use high fidelity digital telemetry. Ultimately, RAT should be commercially viable instrumentation in the support of biological research. The incorporation of well-established techniques will make the proposed RAT instrument attractive to large number of users working in the neuroscience fields. With further development, there is enormous potential for RAT to support other existing real-time microsensors. RAT can also evolve to accommodate sensor technologies that emerge in the future.