Low-cost platform for multi-animal chronic local field potential video monitoring with graphical user interface (GUI) for seizure detection and behavioral scoring

ABSTRACT Experiments employing chronic monitoring of neurophysiological signals and video are commonly used in studies of epilepsy to characterize behavioral correlates of seizures. Our objective was to design a low-cost platform that enables chronic monitoring of several animals simultaneously, synchronizes bilateral local field potential and video streams in real-time, and parses recorded data into manageable file sizes. We present a hardware solution leveraging Intan and Open Ephys acquisition systems and a software solution implemented in Bonsai. The platform was tested in 48-hour continuous recordings simultaneously from multiple mice (male and female) with chronic epilepsy. To enable seizure detection and scoring, we developed a graphical user interface (GUI) that reads the data produced by our workflow and allows a user with no coding expertise to analyze events. Our Bonsai workflow was designed to maximize flexibility for a wide variety of experimental applications, and our use of the Open Ephys acquisition board would allow for scaling recordings up to 128 channels per animal. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We present a low-cost hardware and software solution intended for multi-animal chronic seizure monitoring, that prioritizes experimental freedom, and requires no coding expertise of the user. We provide details for using an Intan adapter board to enable user freedom regarding the type of electrodes used. Video and local field potential data streams are synchronized and parsed in Bonsai – an open-source visual programming language that has pre-written libraries that allow our workflow to be adapted to other data types or to integrate with open-source toolboxes. Finally, for those intending to use our platform for seizure monitoring, we provide an accessible GUI to aid in seizure detection and behavioral scoring.