Recording site placement on planar silicon-based probes affects signal quality in acute neuronal recordings

Abstract Multisite, silicon-based probes are widely used tools to record the electrical activity of neuronal populations. Several physical features these devices designed improve their recording performance. Here, our goal was investigate whether position sites on silicon shank might affect quality recorded neural signal in acute experiments. Neural recordings obtained with five different types high-density, single-shank, planar from anesthetized rats were analyzed. Wideband data filtered extract spiking activity, then amplitude distribution samples and quantitative properties brain (single unit yield, spike isolation distance) compared between located at positions shank, focusing particularly edge center sites. Edge outperformed sites: for all probe there a significant difference power computed distributions, significantly more large both positive negative range. Although single yield similar site positions, amplitudes noticeable range corresponding high-amplitude spikes. Furthermore, advantage slightly decreased decreasing width. Our results aid design novel implants enhancing performance by identifying efficient placements.