Abstract：
Chronic electrophysiological recordings in rodents have significantly improved our understanding of neuronal dynamics and their behavioral relevance. However, current methods for chronically implanting probes present steep trade-offs between cost, ease of use, size, adaptability, and long-term stability. This protocol introduces a novel chronic probe implant system for mice called the DREAM (Dynamic, Recoverable, Economical, Adaptable, and Modular), designed to overcome the trade-offs associated with currently available options. The system provides a lightweight, modular and cost-effective solution with standardized hardware elements that can be combined and implanted in straightforward steps and explanted safely for recovery and multiple reuse of probes, significantly reducing experimental costs. The DREAM implant system integrates three hardware modules: (1) a microdrive that can carry all standard silicon probes, allowing experimenters to adjust recording depth across a travel distance of up to 7 mm; (2) a three-dimensional (3D)-printable, open-source design for a wearable Faraday cage covered in copper mesh for electrical shielding, impact protection, and connector placement, and (3) a miniaturized head-fixation system for improved animal welfare and ease of use. The corresponding surgery protocol was optimized for speed (total duration: 2 h), probe safety, and animal welfare. The implants had minimal impact on animals\' behavioral repertoire, were easily applicable in freely moving and head-fixed contexts, and delivered clearly identifiable spike waveforms and healthy neuronal responses for weeks of post-implant data collection. Infections and other surgery complications were extremely rare. As such, the DREAM implant system is a versatile, cost-effective solution for chronic electrophysiology in mice, enhancing animal well-being, and enabling more ethologically sound experiments. Its design simplifies experimental procedures across various research needs, increasing accessibility of chronic electrophysiology in rodents to a wide range of research labs.
摘要：
啮齿动物的慢性电生理记录显着改善了我们对神经元动力学及其行为相关性的理解。然而,目前长期植入探针的方法存在成本之间的急剧权衡，易用性,尺寸,适应性，和长期稳定。该协议引入了一种用于小鼠的新型慢性探针植入系统，称为DREAM（动态，可恢复，经济,适应性强,和模块化），旨在克服与当前可用选项相关的权衡。该系统提供了一个轻量级的，模块化且具有成本效益的解决方案，具有标准化的硬件元件，可以通过简单的步骤进行组合和植入，并安全地移植以恢复和多次重复使用探针，显著降低实验成本。DREAM植入系统集成了三个硬件模块：（1）可携带所有标准硅探针的微驱动器，允许实验者在高达7毫米的行进距离上调整记录深度；（2）三维（3D）可打印，用于电屏蔽的铜网覆盖的可穿戴法拉第笼的开源设计，冲击保护,和连接器放置，和(3)用于改善动物福利和易用性的小型化头部固定系统。相应的手术方案进行了速度优化（总持续时间：2小时），探头安全,动物福利。植入物对动物行为的影响最小，很容易适用于自由移动和头部固定的环境，并在植入后数据收集的几周内提供了清晰可识别的尖峰波形和健康的神经元反应。感染和其他手术并发症极为罕见。因此，DREAM植入系统是一个多功能的，小鼠慢性电生理的经济有效的解决方案，提高动物的健康，并进行更符合道德标准的实验。它的设计简化了各种研究需求的实验程序，增加啮齿动物慢性电生理学对广泛研究实验室的可及性。
