Abstract
Behavioral neuroscience faces two conflicting demands: long-duration recordings from large neural populations and unimpeded animal behavior. To meet this challenge, we developed ONIX, an open-source data acquisition system with high data throughput (2GB/sec) and low closed-loop latencies (<1ms) that uses a novel 0.3 mm thin tether to minimize behavioral impact. Head position and rotation are tracked in 3D and used to drive active commutation without torque measurements. ONIX can acquire from combinations of passive electrodes, Neuropixels probes, head-mounted microscopes, cameras, 3D-trackers, and other data sources. We used ONIX to perform uninterrupted, long (∼7 hours) neural recordings in mice as they traversed complex 3-dimensional terrain. ONIX allowed exploration with similar mobility as non-implanted animals, in contrast to conventional tethered systems which restricted movement. By combining long recordings with full mobility, our technology will enable new progress on questions that require high-quality neural recordings during ethologically grounded behaviors.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors declare the following competing interests: JPN is president and JV and JHS are board members of Open Ephys Inc., a public benefit workers cooperative in Atlanta GA. FC is the founder of, and ACL and FC are and AHL was employed at the Open Ephys Production Site in Lisbon Portugal. GL is director of NeuroGEARS Ltd. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
