Challenge 2: Wireless recording of the electrophysiology of cognition in psychiatric disease models

Budget: £500,000

Recordings of brain activity, in conjunction with behavioural outcome, while mice run on a T-maze may provide greater validity of the cognitive tasks and disease models employed in drug discovery and consequently, much greater certainty of clinical impact.

In an automated, computer controlled, modular maze that has recently been developed, mice perform multiple trials with reduced variability and at a much greater rate. The scientific and welfare advantages of this apparatus can only be fully realised if the animals are freely moving. Therefore there is a need to monitor neuronal activity in the hippocampal-prefrontal networks without requiring the animals to be tethered in any way.

The aim of this Challenge is to develop a prototype for a wireless 16-32 channel recording system that can acquire and transmit data for a minimum of 24 hours but ideally for more than 10 days, that can be replaced or recharged with minimal discomfort for the animal and is small enough to be carried by a mouse without affecting its behaviour or welfare.