US EPA

1756013 

Journal Article 

Telemetric recording of neuronal activity 

Jurgens, U; Hage, SR 

2006 

1 

Methods
ISSN: 1046-2023
EISSN: 1095-9130 

38 

3 

195-201 

16497514 

10.1016/j.ymeth.2005.08.005 

WOS:000236450700005 

A telemetric system is described which allows the wireless registration of extracellular neuronal activity and vocalization-associated skull vibrations in freely moving, socially living squirrel monkeys (Saitniri sciureits). The system consists of a carrier platform with numerous guiding tubes implanted on the skull. Custom-made microdrives are mounted on the platform, allowing the exploration of two electrode tracks at the same time. Commercially available quartz-insulated platinum-tungsten microelectrodes are used. The electrodes can be moved over a distance of 8-10mm by turning a screw on the microdrive. Vocalization-associated skull vibrations are recorded with a piezo-ceramic element. Skull vibration signal and the signals from the two microelectrodes are fed into separate transmitters having different carrier frequencies. The signals are picked up by an antenna in the animal cage and are sent to three receivers in the central laboratory. Here, the signals are transferred via an analog/digital interface to a personal computer for data analysis and to a video recorder for long-term storage. The total weight of the head mount including carrier platform, microdrive, electrodes, skull vibration sensor, three transmitters, and protection cap is 32 g. The transmitters are powered with two rechargeable lithium batteries, allowing about 8 h of continuous recording. Reliable signal transmission is obtained over a distance of about 2 in. Recording stability allows to follow the activity of specific neurons up to several hours. with no movement artefacts during locomotion. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. 

telemetry; single-unit recording; head-mounted transmitter; intracerebral electrodes; microdrive; skull vibration sensor; vocal communication; squirrel monkey