Optogenetic disruption of theta-timescale spiking

Rats transfected with a viral strategy to express a light-activated channel (ChR2) in PV+ neurons within the MS of PV-Cre transgenic rats. We also implanted an optic fiber targeting the MS as well as either silicon electrodes or multi-tetrode arrays targeting the hippocampus. Each of these animals received optical stimulation restricted to periods of locomotion on either a lineartrack, a W-shaped track, or both. The stimulation pattern was governed by a protocol that either activated MS PV neurons at a wide range of requested frequencies (“rhythmic stimulation”) or at specific phases of the ongoing theta rhythm (“phase-specific stimulation”) recorded in the hippocampus. Released in conjunction with the publication "Disruption of theta-timescale spiking impairs learning but spares hippocampal replay".