Physical Principles for Scalable Neural Recording

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the fundamental physical constraints on scalable neural recording methods across various modalities, focusing on limitations related to resolution, energy, and device communication in the mouse brain.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive physical principles framework for evaluating and guiding the development of scalable neural recording technologies.

Findings

Optical and electrical methods face fundamental limits in resolution and volume displacement.

Energy dissipation constraints impact the scalability of embedded neural devices.

Physical principles inform the design of future neural recording systems.

Abstract

Simultaneously measuring the activities of all neurons in a mammalian brain at millisecond resolution is a challenge beyond the limits of existing techniques in neuroscience. Entirely new approaches may be required, motivating an analysis of the fundamental physical constraints on the problem. We outline the physical principles governing brain activity mapping using optical, electrical,magnetic resonance, and molecular modalities of neural recording. Focusing on the mouse brain, we analyze the scalability of each method, concentrating on the limitations imposed by spatiotemporal resolution, energy dissipation, and volume displacement. We also study the physics of powering and communicating with microscale devices embedded in brain tissue.