title: A novel system for recording from single neurons in unrestrained animals.
abstract: To observe neural activity in animals engaged in natural behavior, it is often desirable to minimize or eliminate restraint of the animal. We have developed a simple system for recording from single units in unrestrained cats. An implant with multiple guide tubes and a tiny microdrive is placed inside the recording chamber. An indwelling Pt-Ir microelectrode is advanced incrementally during recording sessions that occur over a period of weeks or months. Electrodes can be easily replaced. We obtain excellent recording stability, and also have been able to sample extensively from a region of cortex or brain stem in a single animal. The essential electronics have been miniaturized and sewn into a light-weight walking jacket, so that we can collect data from a cat who is not connected to any fixed equipment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States. has@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sherk
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology; D002415:Cats; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000592:standards; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000295:instrumentation; D004594:Electrophysiology; D008297:Male; D008839:Microelectrodes / Q000592:standards; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D013686:Telemetry / Q000295:instrumentation