The AB&P Core has increased its ability to measure or perturb brain activity during mouse behavior. This increased ability has been made possible not only by our recent consolidation with the ENC (Experimental Neurophysiolocy Core) but also by our acquisition of fiber photometry and optogenetic systems. By linking Ethovision XT15, our video tracking software, to Doric Studio using an I/O Box from Noldus to control our optogenetic light source, we are able to stimulate or silence neurons when mice are performing certain behaviors or are in discrete areas of an arena.
We are also able to bin fiber photometric data based on these conditions, which allows for the comparison of neuronal activity based on the animals' behavioral state. This push to add brain physiology measures to our Core has been a major goal of the AB&P at the request of our users.
