project neuron sheep brain exploration guide answer key

This paper reports a valuable new method for creating localized damage to candidate brain regions for functional and behavioral studies. This technique is expected to enable future causal investigations of the recorded neuronal population’s role in neuronal circuit function, while simultaneously providing new insight into local reorganization after neuron loss. The low-cost, external lesioning device can also easily be adopted into an existing electrophysiology recording setup. This technique can be used in many areas of cortex, in several species, and theoretically with any multielectrode probe. This electrolytic lesioning method avoids disruptive procedures, provides millimeter precision over the extent and submilimeter precision over the location of the injury, and permits electrophysiological recording of single-unit activity from the remaining neuronal population after lesioning. Performance of this novel lesioning technique was validated using histology from ex vivo and in vivo testing, current and voltage traces from the device, and measurements of spiking activity before and after lesioning. A custom-built current source provides stable current and allows for controlled, repeatable lesions in awake-behaving animals.

Here we present and test a platform for creating electrolytic lesions through chronically implanted, intracortical multielectrode probes without compromising the ability to acquire neuroelectrophysiology. They stand to provide additional insight if integrated with multielectrode techniques common in systems neuroscience. Lesion studies have historically been instrumental for establishing causal connections between brain and behavior.

Project neuron sheep brain exploration guide answer key