In vivo Brain Electrophysiology

Based in Bordeaux, France, our in vivo brain electrophysiology laboratory is hosted at OptoPath™, a platform for innovative experimental research in CNS psychopathologies.

With over 10 years of experience, this platform has been conducted by a group of experts from two research institutes in Neurosciences (Magendie Neurocentre / The Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases) at Bordeaux University.

Expertise in in vivo Brain Electrophysiology

OptoPath™ combines the expertise of neurobiologists, electrophysiologists and experimental psychologists for the identification of new therapeutic targets against 4 major psychological disorders:

Addiction
PTSD/Anxiety-related disorders

For these 2 psychopathologies, OptoPath™ uses innovative rodent behavioral models that can be combined with state or the art tools for neurobiological investigations such as multi-sites electrophysiology, optogenetics and deep brain vascular imaging in behaving rodents.

Innovative rodent behavioral models

Addiction

Using complementary procedures of a gold standard model, i.e. intravenous self-administration in rodents, OptoPath™ evaluates the addictive risk of new psychoactive compounds (a legal prerequisite for marketing authorization) as well as the anti-addiction potential of new compounds.

PTSD – Fear & Anxiety

OptoPath™ scientists have developed a pertinent behavioral model based on the clinical dimensions of the PTSD precisely defined by the DSM-IV (the reference manual of psychiatry).

Pharmacology & Therapeutic Areas

Supporting clients working in therapeutic areas such as:

PTSD / Anxiety-related disorders
Addiction

Techniques & models

Single unit and Local field potential extracellular recordings in behaving rodents

Simultaneous extracellular recording of the spiking activity of large numbers of individual neurons along with recordings of local field potentials during different brain state (awake, slow wave sleep, REM sleep) in different neuronal structures under baseline conditions or in a number of behavioral tests.

Optogenetics coupled to in vivo electrophysiology

Optogenetics combines genetic engineering and optics to observe and control the function of genetically targeted groups of cells in intact animals. It is used:

To probe defined neuronal circuits or precise neuronal populations
To manipulate neuronal circuits in a reversible manner with high spatial and temporal precision (milliseconds timescale)
To delineate the function and plasticity of defined neuronal circuits during behavior, in combination with electrophysiological and pharmacological approaches

In vivo calcium imaging

In vivo fiber photometry, or 1 photon calcium imaging with cellular resolution in freely behaving animals. It is used to monitor calcium dynamics in real time from neuronal populations or specific cell types.