An integrated system for synchronous detection of neuron spikes and dopamine activities in the striatum of Parkinson monkey brain.

BACKGROUND: Synchronous detecting neuron spikes and dopamine (DA) activities in the non-human primate brain play an important role in understanding of Parkinson's disease (PD). At present, most experiments are carried out by combing of electrodes and commercial instruments, which are inconvenient, time-consuming and inefficient. NEW METHOD: Herein, this study describes a novel integrated system for monitoring neuron spikes and DA activities in non-human primate brain synchronously. This system integrates an implantable sensor, a dual-function head-stage and a low noise detection instrument. METHODS: The system was developed efficiently by using the key technologies of noise reduction, interference protection and differential amplification. To demonstrate the utility of this system, synchronous recordings of electrophysiological signals and DA were in vivo performed in a monkey before and after treated as a Parkinson model monkey. RESULTS: The system typically exhibited input-referred noise levels of only ∼ 3 µVRMS, input impedance levels of up to 5.1 GΩ, and a sensitivity of 14.075 pA/µM for DA and could detect electrophysiological signals and DA without mutual interference. In monkey experiments, lower DA concentrations in the striatum and more intensive spikes of the Parkinson model monkey than the normal one were synchronously recorded efficiently. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: This integrated system will not only significantly simplify the experimental operation and improve the experimental efficiency, but also improve the signal quality and synchronization performance. CONCLUSIONS: This integrated system, which is practical, efficient and convenient, can be widely used for the study of PD and other neurological disorders.