A Rat-Robot Control System Based on Optogenetics

Abstract:

We developed a rat-robot system based on optogenetic techniques for the precise freezing behavior. Rat-robots were built up by optogenetic modulation at the dlPAG of rat brains. We conducted track navigation for the rat-robots and found they were able to exhibit precise freezing at given positions with high spatiotemporal accuracy. Different types of optical stimulation were compared and their influence on the rat-robots was investigated. Furthermore we recorded the neural electrical activity in real time during the optical stimulation. The system could be used to explore the mechanism of freezing behaviors and to build up a more integrated rat-robot navigation system based on optical modulations.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 461)
• Pages: 848-852
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.461.848
• Online since: November 2013
• Authors: Song Chao Guo, Hong Zhou, Yue Ming Wang, Xiao Xiang Zheng, Ke Di Xu
• Keywords: Freezing Behavior, Neural Signal Recording, Optogenetic, Rat-Robot, Track Navigation

References

[1] C. Sun, et al., Automatioc navigation for rat-robots: ubiquitous computing in animals, Journal of Bionic Engineering, vol. 10, pp.46-56, (2013).

[2] R. Holzer and I. Shimoyama, Locomotion control of a bio-robotic system via electric stimulation, in Proceedings of the 1997 IEEE/RSJ International Conference, 1997, pp.1514-1519.

DOI: 10.1109/iros.1997.656559

[3] S. Brown, Stealth sharks to patrol the high seas, New Scientist, vol. 2541, p.30, (2006).

[4] Y. Wang, et al., A telemetry navigation system for animal robots, Robot, vol. 28, pp.183-186, (2006).

[5] S. K. Talwar, et al., Behavioral neuroscience: Rat navigation guided by remote control, Nature, vol. 417, pp.37-38, (2002).

[6] Z. Feng, et al., A remote control training system for rat navigation in complicated environment, Journal of Zhejiang University - Science A, vol. 8, pp.323-330, (2007).

[7] X. Pi, et al., A preliminary study of the noninvasive remote control system for rat bio-robot, Journal of Bionic Engineering, vol. 7, pp.375-381, (2010).

[8] J. Lin, et al., Using dlPAG-evoked immobile behavior in animal-robotics navigation, presented at the The 5th International Conference on Computer Science & Education, Hefei, China, (2010).

DOI: 10.1109/iccse.2010.5593729

[9] S. Guo, et al., A multi-electrode array coupled with fiberoptic for deep-brain optical neuromodulation and electrical recording, presented at the The 35th Annual Internation Conference of the IEEE EMBS, 2013, Osaka, Japan, (2013).

DOI: 10.1109/embc.2013.6610110

[10] A. M. Aravanis, et al., An optical neural interface: in vivo control of rodent motor cortex with integrated fiberoptic and optogenetic technology, Journal of Neural Engineering, vol. 4, pp.143-156, (2007).

DOI: 10.1088/1741-2560/4/3/s02

[11] M. S. Aguiar and M. L. Brandāo, Conditioned place aversion produced by microinjections of substance P into the periaqueductal gray of rats, Behavioural Pharmacology, vol. 5, pp.369-373, (1994).

DOI: 10.1097/00008877-199406000-00017

[12] J. M. Zanoveli, et al., Conditioned place aversion organized in the dorsal periaqueduatal gray recruits the laterodorsal nucleus of the thalamus and the basolateral amygdala, Experimental Neurology, vol. 208, pp.127-136, (2007).

DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2007.08.007