Caroline B Drucker1, Monica L Carlson2, Koji Toda3, Nicholas K DeWind4, Michael L Platt5. 1. Department of Neurobiology and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Levine Science Research Center, Box 90999, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA. Electronic address: caroline.drucker@duke.edu. 2. Department of Neurobiology and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Levine Science Research Center, Box 90999, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA. Electronic address: monica.carlson@duke.edu. 3. Department of Neurobiology and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Levine Science Research Center, Box 90999, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Kojimachi Business Center Building, 5-3-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku 102-0083, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: kt131@duke.edu. 4. Department of Neurobiology and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Levine Science Research Center, Box 90999, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA. Electronic address: nicholas.dewind@duke.edu. 5. Department of Neurobiology and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Levine Science Research Center, Box 90999, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, 104 Biological Sciences Building, Box 90383, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Levine Science Research Center, Box 90999, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA. Electronic address: platt@neuro.duke.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The success of many neuroscientific studies depends upon adequate head fixation of awake, behaving animals. Typically, this is achieved by surgically affixing a head-restraint prosthesis to the skull. NEW METHOD: Here we report the use of thermoplastic masks to non-invasively restrain monkeys' heads. Mesh thermoplastic sheets become pliable when heated and can then be molded to an individual monkey's head. After cooling, the custom mask retains this shape indefinitely for day-to-day use. RESULTS: We successfully trained rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) to perform cognitive tasks while wearing thermoplastic masks. Using these masks, we achieved a level of head stability sufficient for high-resolution eye-tracking and intracranial electrophysiology. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD: Compared with traditional head-posts, we find that thermoplastic masks perform at least as well during infrared eye-tracking and single-neuron recordings, allow for clearer magnetic resonance image acquisition, enable freer placement of a transcranial magnetic stimulation coil, and impose lower financial and time costs on the lab. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that thermoplastic masks are a viable non-invasive form of primate head restraint that enable a wide range of neuroscientific experiments.
BACKGROUND: The success of many neuroscientific studies depends upon adequate head fixation of awake, behaving animals. Typically, this is achieved by surgically affixing a head-restraint prosthesis to the skull. NEW METHOD: Here we report the use of thermoplastic masks to non-invasively restrain monkeys' heads. Mesh thermoplastic sheets become pliable when heated and can then be molded to an individual monkey's head. After cooling, the custom mask retains this shape indefinitely for day-to-day use. RESULTS: We successfully trained rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) to perform cognitive tasks while wearing thermoplastic masks. Using these masks, we achieved a level of head stability sufficient for high-resolution eye-tracking and intracranial electrophysiology. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD: Compared with traditional head-posts, we find that thermoplastic masks perform at least as well during infrared eye-tracking and single-neuron recordings, allow for clearer magnetic resonance image acquisition, enable freer placement of a transcranial magnetic stimulation coil, and impose lower financial and time costs on the lab. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that thermoplastic masks are a viable non-invasive form of primate head restraint that enable a wide range of neuroscientific experiments.
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