Unraveling Multiregional Neural Patterns during Consciousness Transition Using Flexible Microelectrode Arrays Integrated with Neuropixels Chips.
Nano letters May 28, 2025 Xiangyu Wang, Mengcheng Liu, Jianfei Ding et al.
A flexible microelectrode array system called FlexiPixels, which combines a multishank flexible array with Neuropixels chips, enables stable, long-term recording of neural activity across multiple brain regions in freely moving rats. Using this system, researchers tracked neuronal activity during consciousness transitions from anesthesia to wakefulness and subsequent sleep. Distinct state-dependent firing patterns emerged across different brain regions and neuronal types: CA1 neurons showed similar activity during wakefulness and sleep, while DG neurons exhibited unique sensitivity to anesthesia. The findings demonstrate the system's capability for stable multiregion recording and its potential to reveal region-specific signatures in consciousness studies.