Buccino, Lepperød, Dragly et al (Journal of Neural Engineering, 2018)
Methods that combine monitoring neural activity, behavioral tracking, and targeted manipulation of neurons in closed-loop are powerful tools. However, commercial systems that allow these types of experiments are usually expensive and rely on non-standardized data formats and proprietary software which may hinder user-modifications for specific needs. In order to promote reproducibility and data-sharing in science, transparent software and standardized data formats are an advantage.Based on the Open Ephys system (www.open-ephys.org) we developed multiple modules to include real-time tracking and behavior-based closed-loop stimulation. Combining the open source software Bonsai (bonsai-rx.org) for analyzing camera images in real time with the newly developed modules in Open Ephys, we acquire position information, visualize tracking, and perform tracking-based closed-loop stimulation experiments. To analyze the acquired data we provide an open source file reading package in Python. The system robustly visualizes real-time tracking and reliably recovers tracking information recorded from a range of sampling frequencies (30–1000 Hz). We recorded place cell and grid cell activity in the hippocampus and in the medial entorhinal cortex and used the system for closed-loop optogenetic stimulation of entorhinal grid cells.
Wiki page on github containing a detailed guide on how to set up the system:
Open source modules for tracking animal behavior and closed-loop stimulation based on Open Ephys and Bonsai
Alessio Paolo Buccino1,5, Mikkel Elle Lepperød1,2,4, Svenn-Arne Dragly1,3, Philipp Häfliger1,5, Marianne Fyhn1,2 and Torkel Hafting1,2,4
Journal of Neural Engineering, Volume 15, Number 5
Special Issue on Open Source Tools in Systems Neuroscience
