Constructing a Chronic Neural Ensemble Recording System Thomas Geiser, Ryan Honeck, Rachel Lensing, Dr. Ozgur Yavuzcetin, Dr. Meg Waraczynski University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Departments of Biological Sciences, Physics, and Psychology. Bregma -.72 + -.85 for EA in Paxinos & Watson Purpose Our interdisciplinary team has reached the point at which integration of hardware and software to acquire and digitize neural signals is possible. Methods of implanting the recording electrodes are being improved and refined. Moving forward, the next step is to create a semi-natural environment in which the rats will freely roam while neural activity is being recorded in the extended amygdala. Options for software that will analyze the recorded signals and correlate them with the rats’ behaviors’ are being explored. Electrode Connectivity Overview Circuit board that will be used to pair each individual connector pad with the specific wire that will be lowered into the brain at different depths. Laptop with Data Acquisition and Analysis Software .15mm diameter through-holes: Will be used to solder our eight tungsten wires 0.2mm x .405mm Surface-Mount pads: Where the connector pins will be laid and soldered. Data Acquisition Board: Communicates recorded data from the electrode to the computer. Has the ability of synchronizing eight electrodes with software. Electrode Configuration and Implantation The tungsten electrode will be composed of wires at staggered depths, allowing for a greater probability of hitting the target region. Data Analysis Commutator: Allows the rat to roam freely in its environment without the wires becoming tangled. KlustaKwik, a standalone spike sorting software, will be used to detect, extract and sort the various recorded cells from the raw data. The software that will be used to analyze the roles of these spikes in relation to stimuli has yet to be decided. Model to scale of the electrode implanted accurately into the extended amygdala. The dashed red lines define the borders of the extended amygdala. Headstage: Amplifies and digitizes received analog biopotential signals. Looking Forward Overlooking view of stereotaxic setup with attached micro-drive for surgical implantation of the electrode. Stimulate and capture neural signals Construct environment for rats Surgically implant electrode (Rey, et al. 2015) Acknowledgements Thank you Dr. Catherine Chan and the URP for funding the continuation of this project via a SURF grant. Thank you Dr. Yavuzcetin and Dr. Waraczynski for giving us much needed guidance and direction.