Methods and apparatus for high-throughput neural screening

A method which comprises, in combination, the steps of:

• (a) inserting one or more arrays of optical probes into a brain of a mammal, or positioning the one or more arrays adjacent to the brain;
• (b) using at least one of the arrays to deliver optical stimulation to a region of the brain;
• (c) using a sensor to take measurements regarding the mammal or the mammal's behavior;
• and
• (d) repeating the preceding two steps, applying the optical stimulation to different regions of the brain, one region at a time;
• wherein
• (i) the steps listed above occur in a chronological order, which chronological order may be the same or different than the order in which listed above;
• (ii) the one or more arrays are each adapted to deliver light to modulate the activity of particular light-sensitive proteins in neural tissue;
• and
• (iii) the particular light-sensitive proteins comprise one or more rhodopsins.

A method which comprises, in combination, the steps of:

• (a) inserting one or more arrays of optical probes into a brain of a mammal, or positioning the one or more arrays adjacent to the brain;
• (b) using at least one of the arrays to deliver optical stimulation to a region of the brain;
• (c) using a sensor to take measurements regarding the mammal or the mammal's behavior;
• and
• (d) repeating the preceding two steps, applying the optical stimulation to different regions of the brain, one region at a time;
• wherein
• (i) the steps listed above occur in a chronological order, which chronological order may be the same or different than the order in which listed above;
• and
• (ii) if any overlap volumes do exist, in which any of the respective different regions overlaps with any of its respective neighbors, then ratio of the overlap volumes without any double counting to the total volume of the different regions together, is less than 30%.

A method which comprises, in combination, the steps of:

• (a) inserting one or more arrays of optical probes into a brain of a mammal, or locating the one or more arrays adjacent to the brain;
• (b) using at least one of the arrays to simultaneously deliver optical stimuli to a combination of different regions in the brain, which optical stimuli may be the same or vary within or between the different regions;
• and
• (c) using a sensor to take measurements regarding the mammal or the mammal's behavior;
• wherein
• (i) the steps listed above occur in a chronological order, which chronological order may be the same or different than the order in which listed above,
• (ii) the one or more arrays are each adapted to deliver light to modulate the activity of particular light-sensitive proteins in neural tissue, and
• (iii) the light-sensitive proteins comprise one or more rhodopsins.