Improvements on mice tactile virtual reality system for electrophysiological experiments

Hu, Kun

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121523 Copy

Description

Title

Improvements on mice tactile virtual reality system for electrophysiological experiments

Author(s)

Hu, Kun

Issue Date

2023-07-20

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Vlasov, Yurii

Department of Study

Bioengineering

Discipline

Bioengineering

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

Virtual reality, cortical processing

Abstract

Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying animal behavior is a fundamental goal in neuroscience research. Virtual reality systems integrated with in-vivo electrophysiological recording provide a unique opportunity to study behavior and its neural correlates in controlled experimental settings. This thesis presents the design and implementation of a virtual reality system that allows for in-vivo electrophysiological recording in animals with fixed heads. By immobilizing the animals' heads, stable and accurate neural recordings were obtained while preserving their ability to engage in behavior resembling their natural environment. The virtual reality system incorporated various behavioral tasks, including open space running, obstacle avoidance, and forced-turning paradigms, to investigate the neural mechanisms associated with cognition and motor control. Behavioral data obtained from these tasks demonstrated the animals' ability to perform the required behaviors within the virtual environment. The electrophysiological data were processed using a robust pipeline that involved spike sorting algorithms and manual curation to identify neuronal units and extract their spike timings. By correlating the electrophysiological data with the animals' behavior, distinct patterns of neural activity associated with decision-making, spatial navigation, and adaptive motor control were revealed. Customized data analysis tools allowed for visualization and analysis of the correlated data, providing insights into the spatial and temporal dynamics of neuronal activity. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the neural processes underlying behavior and highlight the potential of virtual reality systems combined with electrophysiological recording for investigating complex cognitive and motor functions. This research opens avenues for further exploration of the neural mechanisms associated with behavior and may have implications for the development of therapeutic interventions targeting neurological disorders.

Graduation Semester

2023-08

Type of Resource

Thesis

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2023 Kun Hu

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