Abstract
Neuroscientists have been trying to reveal secrets of the brain for several decades. However there are still lots of questions left to be addressed. One biggest reason why we are having trouble reaching to the goal is that the brain is working as gigantic network system. The network consists of complex multi-layered hierarchical structure that keeps changing the structure depending on demands from internal/external environments. Another issue which we tend to ignore is that the brain is working as a part of complex biological system. The brain is manipulating incredible amount of behavioral parameters. These are telling that monitoring detail of behaviors is also essential to understand how the brain is working. The fact led us to new idea of recording system that both multi-dimensional neural activity and multi-dimensional behavioral parameters have to be recorded simultaneously and chronically to reveal dynamic function of the brain. Then, first, we have developed multi-electrodes recording system for monitoring multiple neurons from multiple populations for long periods. The method allows us to see neural activity as a function of network system for several months. Later we have developed another recording system to track all of available biological signals. The system can store 3-dimensional body movements, eye position in space, EMGs, heart rate and more. Both neuronal and behavioral data obtained simultaneously are linked by common timestamp and events and compared each other to see how neuronal network is modulating behaviors. I will discuss about detail of the entire recording system and pro/con of the methods. [Jpn J Physiol 55 Suppl:S50 (2005)]
