A simple head-mountable LED device for chronic stimulation of optogenetic molecules in freely moving mice

We describe a low-cost, small, remotely triggerable LED device for wireless control of transcranial optical stimulation of cortical neurons, for use in freely moving mice. The device is easily mountable on the head of a mouse with a high-polymer block. Using the Thy1-ChR2-YFP transgenic mice, we demonstrate that the device is capable of remotely triggering muscle twitches upon activation of the primary motor cortex in freely moving conditions. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd and the Japan Neuroscience Society. All rights reserved.