Designing an apparatus for behavioral testing in awake rodents during brain stimulation

Neurostimulation technologies have been shown to be effective in promoting recovery, alleviating disease symptoms, and enhancing quality of life in different neurological diseases and injuries. There is growing interest in developing neurostimulation as visual prosthetics for diseases that ultimately lead to visual impairments. However, evidence shows that the implantation of electrodes in the visual cortex, retina, and optic nerve which are the primary targets for visual-based neurostimulation, can induce tissue damage unspecific stimulation and low perceptual spatial resolution to reproduce original images. We have recently developed an innovative, non-invasive method to control cellular function using the electromagnetic-perceptive gene (EPG). This magnetogenetic-based technology complements the existing arsenal of neurostimulation technologies and provides a novel approach for cell-specific, temporal-specific, location-specific and non-invasive neurostimulation. We worked towards developing an apparatus that will allow for behavioral testing in awake rats during magnetogenetic stimulation of the visual cortex. We designed and built a new behavioral rodent apparatus that provides direct and controlled contact with the head using non-conductive and non-ferrous materials. This apparatus allows the rat to press one of two levers depending on visual cues and magnetogenetic stimulation. In addition, this new apparatus will allow for testing of behavioral responses to cortical stimulation controlled by other neurostimulation devices, including non-invasive brain stimulation, optogenetics, ultrasound, and electrodes in awake, restrained rats.