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Precision rodent whisker stimulator with integrated servo-locked control and displacement measurement

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Title: Precision rodent whisker stimulator with integrated servo-locked control and displacement measurement
Authors: Walker, Jennifer L.1, Monjaraz-Fuentes, Fernanda1, Pedrow, Christi R.1, Rector, David M. drector@vetmed.wsu.edu
Source: Journal of Neuroscience Methods. Mar2011, Vol. 196 Issue 1, p20-30. 11p.
Subjects: Laboratory rodents, Whiskers, Neural stimulation, Anesthesia in neurology, Auditory perception, Evoked response audiometry, Electrophysiology
Abstract: Abstract: We developed a high speed voice coil based whisker stimulator that delivers precise deflections of a single whisker or group of whiskers in a repeatable manner. The device is miniature, quiet, and inexpensive to build. Multiple stimulators fit together for independent stimulation of four or more whiskers. The system can be used with animals under anesthesia as well as awake animals with head-restraint, and does not require trimming the whiskers. The system can deliver 1–2mm deflections in 2ms resulting in velocities up to 900mm/s to attain a wide range of evoked responses. Since auditory artifacts can influence behavioral studies using whisker stimulation, we tested potential effects of auditory noise by recording somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) with varying auditory click levels, and with/without 80dBa background white noise. We found that auditory clicks as low as 40dBa significantly influence the SEP. With background white noise, auditory clicks as low as 50dBa were still detected in components of the SEP. For behavioral studies where animals must learn to respond to whisker stimulation, these sounds must be minimized. Together, the stimulator and data system can be used for psychometric vigilance tasks, mapping of the barrel cortex and other electrophysiological paradigms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Abstract: We developed a high speed voice coil based whisker stimulator that delivers precise deflections of a single whisker or group of whiskers in a repeatable manner. The device is miniature, quiet, and inexpensive to build. Multiple stimulators fit together for independent stimulation of four or more whiskers. The system can be used with animals under anesthesia as well as awake animals with head-restraint, and does not require trimming the whiskers. The system can deliver 1–2mm deflections in 2ms resulting in velocities up to 900mm/s to attain a wide range of evoked responses. Since auditory artifacts can influence behavioral studies using whisker stimulation, we tested potential effects of auditory noise by recording somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) with varying auditory click levels, and with/without 80dBa background white noise. We found that auditory clicks as low as 40dBa significantly influence the SEP. With background white noise, auditory clicks as low as 50dBa were still detected in components of the SEP. For behavioral studies where animals must learn to respond to whisker stimulation, these sounds must be minimized. Together, the stimulator and data system can be used for psychometric vigilance tasks, mapping of the barrel cortex and other electrophysiological paradigms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
ISSN:01650270
DOI:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2010.12.008