Abstract

Robotic Multimodal Electrophysiology for Neural Targeting in the Deep Brain

Barbara Smith, Assistant Professor, Arizona State University

Studies of high resolution neuronal recordings are critically important to elucidate fundamental mechanisms that play a key role in developmental processes that result in human diseases such as cancer and neuro-degeneration. This insight has become possible through the advent of penetrating intracellular electrodes and whole cell patch clamps regarding the relationship of the single neuron to function of the greater neural network. Several barriers remain against the widespread application of patch clamp electrophysiology within in-vivo models, thus limiting the potential impact of this technology within the fields of neuroscience and electrophysiology. An effective translational technology with the ability to gain immediate insight into neuronal activity in the deep brain is therefore necessary for improving early-stage diagnosis, clinical treatments, and surgical procedures for devastating neurological disorders. Despite advances, current technologies for cellular targeting are limited by: the penetration depth of light and reliance on the technical expertise of the researcher, making it very difficult to study synaptic activity and the interconnected neural network in these regions. This presentation will introduce our recent work applying a fully integrated feedback system, first developed in our lab, to target, stimulate, and record cells of interest at depths beyond what is currently possible. The overarching goal is to translate technologies developed in the lab for improved research outcomes and fundamental knowledge gained. The ability to measure and stimulate selected cells is essential in order to gain immediate insight into cellular activity for the purpose of improving early-stage diagnosis, clinical treatments, and surgical procedures for devastating neurological disorders.