Ulrich Froriep, Ph.D.: Fiber-based probes for long term interrogation of neural circuits
Channel: Simons Center for the Social Brain
Date: 2015-12-03

Despite the ongoing development of animal models and optogenetic tools, genetic and electrophysiological features leading to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain unclear. Combined behavioral and electrophysiological investigation holds great promise in isolating activity patterns responsible for ASD, but is currently limited by the lack of technology for stable long term recording at high signal-to-noise ratio. The latter is likely caused by a mismatch in elastic moduli of neural probes in comparison to neural tissue. 
Here I present a novel, flexible class of neural probes fabricated via thermal drawing process. We developed several types of highly biocompatible probes, including multifunctional devices which comprise recording, optogenetic stimulation and fluidic delivery capabilities, combined in an integrated structure. We confirmed these capabilities under acute and chronic conditions in wildtype and transgenic mice in vivo. Thus, these flexible probes are suitable for long term electrophysiological investigation of neural circuits.