Spinotrode: long-term intraspinal electrophysiological recordings to unravel dorsal horn neuron dynamics in behaving mice

Abstract

Recording single-unit neural activity in the spinal cord in freely moving rodents is crucial for understanding spinal network dynamics but remains challenging due to specific biomechanical constraints. So far, the vast majority of studies have been conducted in anesthetized or restrained animals, limiting the correlation of neuronal activity with naturalistic behaviours. Here we introduce the Spinotrode, a vertebral implant able to stably record signals (over several weeks) at the single-cell level in the bilateral dorsal horns of adult mice. It is engineered to minimize postural constraints and interrogate spinal activity during sensory stimulation and motor behaviours. No functional impairment or tissue damage was apparent. Spinotrode recordings allowed identification of distinct functional types of neurons associated with paw withdrawal, revealed dorsal horn activity during locomotor behaviour distinct from proprioception and touch, and uncovered contralateral sensory activation upon nociceptive reflex responses, which forces reassessment of data obtained in anesthetized animals.