Basic NeuroscienceMiniature multichannel preamplifier for extracellular recordings of single unit activity in freely moving and swimming small animals

The design of a miniature multichannel preamplifier for extracellular recordings of single unit activity in freely moving and swimming small animals is presented. The advantages of this design include perfect protection of the critical components and electric contacts from water. Thus, neuronal activity and EEG may be recorded differentially in any kinds of behavioral tasks including swimming in Morris water maze. Recordings are stable even if an animal is diving and swimming under the water surface. The reusable dismountable base can adopt different types of chronically implanted fine wire electrodes and movable arrays. Electrodes may be implanted to any desired depth. The assembly weight is less than 240 mg. Thus, the construction is light enough even for mice. This work is the first successful attempt for multichannel recording of neuronal activity in mice performing spatial task in Morris water maze.

Highlights► We described the multichannel preamplifier for neuronal recordings in small animals. ► The device may be used in any kinds of tasks including swimming in Morris water maze. ► Reusable headstage can adopt both chronically implanted and movable wire electrodes. ► For the first time multichannel recordings of neuronal activity were made in swimming mice.