Organ-specific, multimodal, wireless optoelectronics for high-throughput phenotyping of peripheral neural pathways

The vagus nerve supports diverse autonomic functions and behaviors. To dissect how specific vagal components contribute to behavior and long-term physiology, it is necessary to modulate their activity with organ-level anatomical specificity in awake, freely behaving animals. Here we introduce an organ-specific, scalable, multimodal, wireless optoelectronic device that enables precise and chronic optogenetic manipulation in vivo. Coupled with an advanced coil-antenna system and a multiplexing strategy that powers eight cages from a single RF transmitter, the telemetry platform enables low-cost, high-throughput, and precise functional mapping of peripheral neural circuits with long-term behavioral and physiological readouts. Using this technology, we reveal an unexpected role for stomach, non-stretch vagal sensory fibers in suppressing appetite and demonstrate the durability of the miniature wireless device in harsh gastric conditions.

Woo Seok Kim, Sungcheol Hong, Milenka Gamero, Vivekanand Jeevakumar, Clay M. Smithhart, Theodore J. Price, Richard D. Palmiter, Carlos Campos, Sung Il Park