High resolution in-vivo electrode localization using microfocal X-rays.

Abstract

Neuroscientists lack the ability to perform in-vivo electrode localization with high accuracy, especially in deep brain structures. The design, implementation and testing of a microfocal x-ray stereo system that offers an efficient, accurate, and relatively low-cost solution this localization problem is presented. The results indicate the ability to localize a targets to within -50 microns, in a brain-tissue-based frame. This accuracy is approximately twice as good as than the existing gold standard in electrophysiology (microlesions), and, unlike the microlesion method, the stereo microfocal x-ray method has important advantages. In particular, while only tens of neuronal recording sites can be reliably reconstructed with the microlesion method, microfocal x-ray method can be repeatedly performed to accurately estimate an essentially unlimited number of serial penetrations, and the localization results are available in nearly real time without animal sacrifice.