Adapting NeuroRighter for in vivo optogenetic stimulation

The temporal and cell-type specific precision of optogenetics provides effective functional dissection of the intact nervous system. Integrating these techniques with existing multielectrode electrophysiological recording methods is essential in realizing this goal. This work describes the adaptation of the low-cost, closed-loop, open-source electrophysiology system - NeuroRighter - for use with high-intensity LED optical stimulation. We apply this system in vivo to ChR2-based activation of medial septal neurons alongside simultaneous dorsal hippocampal recordings in both anesthetized and awake rats. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this system in modulating local field potential and single unit activity in the septohippocampal circuitry. The adapted NeuroRighter system can be readily applied to a number of in vivo experimental tasks requiring multielectrode recording and optogenetic stimulation.