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Zapit: Open Source Random-Access Photostimulation For Neuroscience

Lohse, M.; Gauld, O. M.; Skretowska, M. T.; Vincent, P.; Pajot-Moric, Q.; Townsend, S.; Duan, C. A.; Akrami, A.; Mrsic-Flogel, T. D.; Campbell, R. A.

2024-02-12 neuroscience
10.1101/2024.02.12.579892 bioRxiv
Show abstract

Optogenetic tools are indispensable for understanding the causal neural mechanisms underlying animal behavior. Opsins provide millisecond-precision control over genetically defined neural populations, but this is critically dependent on associated hardware and software for targeted light delivery. Optic-fibres are suitable for certain experiments, but fiber implantation can be invasive and limits flexibility of spatial targeting. In contrast, random-access laser-scanning optogenetic systems provide far greater flexibility for targeting distributed cortical areas. However, these systems are more technically challenging to build, and at present no general-purpose open-source solution is available. Here we present Zapit, a complete open-source platform for spatio-temporally precise random-access laser-scanning optogenetic experiments in head-fixed mice. We describe the system, quantify its performance, validate its physiological effect on cortical activity, and show results from proof-of-principle cortical photoinhibition experiments in behaving mice.

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