A wireless modular platform for neuro-behavioral recording and closed-loop manipulation in small animals

Abstract

Investigating the neural mechanisms of social group interactions and other naturalistic behaviors in small animals remains limited by current technology. Tethered neural recording systems are incompatible with many of these behaviors, while existing wireless devices for small animals are constrained by weight, bandwidth, recording duration and the lack of closed-loop modulation capabilities. Here we overcome these limitations by developing a Wireless, Interactive, Lightweight Datalogger (WILD) with integrated flexible neural probes, optogenetics, an inertial measurement unit, an ultrasonic microphone and a head-mounted camera. This platform enables simultaneous, long-term recording of neural activity, locomotor variables, vocalizations and eye movements from groups of freely moving mice in both laboratory and outdoor settings. Model-based real-time signal processing detects specific neural events and behavioral motifs to trigger closed-loop neural interventions. By combining multimodal recordings with advanced onboard signal-processing capabilities in a compact device, WILD enables the investigation of neural mechanisms underlying a broad range of natural behaviors in small animals. WILD is a wireless device that can record neuronal activity, perform optogenetic stimulations, record animal movements, record the environment or eye movements via an integrated camera, analyze the data and trigger optogenetic stimulation. This device facilitates studies of brain activity in freely moving animals such as mice, both in the laboratory and under naturalistic conditions.