Design of a head fixation device for experiments in behaving monkeys.

We have designed a new device for head fixation of behaving monkeys. The fixation device consists of a duralumin head ring mounted with four screw holders. It is firmly fixed to the animal's skull with four stainless steel screw pins. The head ring is then attached to a primate chair in any desirable position and angle using a set of adjustable plates. The device has been used for behavioral training that requires accurate gaze monitoring and for recording single-unit activity over a several-month period. The advantage of our device is that it is simple to use; it can be attached readily without major surgical procedures and it can be quickly removed when experiments are not running. This head fixation system is suitable for behavioral experiments and single-unit recording studies. It may also be applicable for studies on functional imaging of the macaque brain, by constructing it of non-magnetic materials.