Modular auditory decision-making behavioral task designed for intraoperative use in humans

• Published in: Journal of neuroscience methods Vol. 304; pp. 162 - 167
• Main Authors: Tekriwal, Anand, Felsen, Gidon, Thompson, John A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.07.2018
• Subjects: Acoustic Stimulation; Adult; Aged; Arduino; Behavioral paradigm; Cues; Decision Making - physiology; Deep Brain Stimulation - methods; Female; Humans; Intraoperative; Intraoperative Awareness - physiopathology; Intraoperative Period; Male; Matlab; Middle Aged; Parkinson Disease - physiopathology; Parkinson Disease - therapy; Psychoacoustics; Psychometrics; PsychToolbox; Subthalamic Nucleus - physiology; Intraoperative; PsychToolbox; Arduino; Behavioral paradigm; Matlab
• ISSN: 0165-0270; 1872-678X; 1872-678X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.05.004

•Intraoperative behavioral paradigm.•Open source Arduino controller.•Open source behavioral paradigm and analysis. Neurosurgical interventions that require active patient feedback, such as deep brain stimulation surgery, create an opportunity to conduct cognitive or behavioral experiments during the acquisition of invasive neurophysiology. Optimal design and implementation of intraoperative behavioral experiments require consideration of stimulus presentation, time and surgical constraints. We describe the use of a modular, inexpensive system that implements a decision-making paradigm, designed to overcome challenges associated with the operative environment. We have created an auditory, two-alternative forced choice (2AFC) task for intraoperative use. Behavioral responses were acquired using an Arduino based single-hand held joystick controller equipped with a 3-axis accelerometer, and two button presses, capable of sampling at 2 kHz. We include designs for all task relevant code, 3D printed components, and Arduino pin-out diagram. We demonstrate feasibility both in and out of the operating room with behavioral results represented by three healthy control subjects and two Parkinson's disease subjects undergoing deep brain stimulator implantation. Psychometric assessment of performance indicated that the subjects could detect, interpret and respond accurately to the task stimuli using the joystick controller. We also demonstrate, using intraoperative neurophysiology recorded during the task, that the behavioral system described here allows us to examine neural correlates of human behavior. For low cost and minimal effort, any clinical neural recording system can be adapted for intraoperative behavioral testing with our experimental setup. Our system will enable clinicians and basic scientists to conduct intraoperative awake and behaving electrophysiologic studies in humans.