Inserting a Neuropixels probe into awake monkey cortex: two probes, two methods

Abstract

BackgroundNeuropixels probes have revolutionized neurophysiological studies in the rodent, but inserting these probes through the much thicker primate dura remains a challenge. New methodsHere we describe two methods we have developed for the insertion of two types of Neuropixels probes acutely into the awake macaque monkey cortex. For the fine rodent probe (Neuropixels 1.0, IMEC), which is unable to pierce native primate dura, we developed a dural-eyelet method to insert the probe repeatedly without breakage. For the thicker short NHP probe (Neuropixels NP1010), we developed an artificial dura system to insert the probe. Results and comparison with existing methodsWe have now conducted successful experiments in 3 animals across 7 recording chambers with the procedures described here and have achieved recordings with similar yields over several months in each case. ConclusionWe hope that our hardware, surgical preparation, methods for insertion and methods for removal of broken probe parts are of value to primate physiologists everywhere.