Optrode Array for Simultaneous Optogenetic Modulation and Electrical Neural Recording

Youjin Lee; Daeho Ryu; Saeyeong Jeon; Yena Lee; Yoon Kyung Cho; Chang-Hyeon Ji; Yong-Kweon Kim; Sang Beom Jun

doi:10.3791/63460

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Method Article

Optrode Array for Simultaneous Optogenetic Modulation and Electrical Neural Recording

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DOI:

10.3791/63460

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September 1st, 2022

Youjin Lee^*¹^,² , Daeho Ryu^*³ , Saeyeong Jeon³ , Yena Lee¹ , Yoon Kyung Cho¹ , Chang-Hyeon Ji¹^,² , Yong-Kweon Kim³^,⁴ , Sang Beom Jun¹^,²^,⁵

¹Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Ewha Womans University, ²Graduate Program in Smart Factory, Ewha Womans University, ³Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Seoul National University, ⁴Graduate School of Engineering Practice, Seoul National University, ⁵Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University

^* These authors contributed equally

Summary

Here, we present the fabrication method of an optrode system with optical fibers for light delivery and an electrode array for neural recording. In vivo experiments with transgenic mice expressing channelrhodopsin-2 show the feasibility of the system for simultaneous optogenetic stimulation and electrophysiological recording.

Abstract

During the last decade, optogenetics has become an essential tool for the investigation of neural signaling due to its unique capability of selective neural modulation or monitoring. As specific types of neuronal cells can be genetically modified to express opsin proteins, optogenetics enables optical stimulation or inhibition of the selected neurons. There have been several technological advances in the optical system for optogenetics. Recently, it was proposed to combine the optical waveguide for light delivery with electrophysiological recording to simultaneously monitor the neural responses to optogenetic stimulation or inhibition. In this study, an implantable optrode array (2x2 optical fibers) was developed with embedded multichannel electrodes.

A light-emitting diode (LED) was employed as a light source, and a microfabricated microlens array was integrated to provide sufficient light power at the tip of the optical fibers. The optrode array system comprises the disposable part and the reusable part. The disposable part has optical fibers and electrodes, while the reusable part has the LED and electronic circuitry for light control and neural signal processing. The novel design of the implantable optrode array system is introduced in the accompanying video in addition to the procedure of the optrode implantation surgery, optogenetic light stimulation, and the electrophysiological neural recording. The results of in vivo experiments successfully showed time-locked neural spikes evoked by the light stimuli from hippocampal excitatory neurons of mice.

Introduction

Recording and controlling neural activity is essential for understanding how the brain functions in a neural network and at cellular levels. Conventional electrophysiological recording methods include the patch clamp¹^,²^,³^,⁴ using a micropipette and extracellular recording using microneural electrodes⁵^,⁶^,⁷^,⁸. As a neuromodulation method, electrical stimulation has been frequently used to directly stimulate a focal b....