Modified toolbox for optogenetics in the nonhuman primate

• DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.2.3.031202
• Publication Date: 2015-05-29T10:30:48Z
• Authors: Ji Dai; Ilker Ozden; Daniel I. Brooks; Fabien Wagner; Travis May; Naubahar S. Agha; Benjamin Brush; David Borton; Arto V. Nurmikko; David L. Sheinberg
• Keywords: Microstimulation; Non human primate; Toolbox; Photic Stimulation

Attracted by the appealing advantages of optogenetics, many nonhuman primate labs are attempting to incorporate this technique in their experiments. Despite some reported successes a few groups, still find it difficult develop reliable way transduce cells monkey brain and subsequently monitor light-induced neuronal activity. Here, we describe methodology that have developed successfully deployed on regular basis with multiple monkeys. All devices accessories easy obtain results using these been proven be highly replicable. We "in-chair" viral injection system used tapered thinner fibers for optical stimulation, which significantly improved efficacy reduced tissue damage. With methods, transduced monkeys both deep shallow cortical areas. could reliably neural modulation months after injection, no artifacts were observed during recordings. Further experiments methods shown optogenetic stimulation can bias spatial attention visual choice discrimination task comparable electrical microstimulation, demonstrates potential use our fundamental research clinical applications.