Optoelectronic systems can exert precise control over targeted neurons and pathways throughout the brain in untethered animals, but similar technologies for the spinal cord are not well established. In the present study, we describe a system for ultrafast, wireless, closed-loop manipulation of targeted neurons and pathways across the entire dorsoventral spinal cord in untethered mice. We developed a soft stretchable carrier, integrating microscale light-emitting diodes (micro-LEDs), that conforms to the dura mater of the spinal cord. A coating of silicone–phosphor matrix over the micro-LEDs provides mechanical protection and light conversion for compatibility with a large library of opsins. A lightweight, head-mounted, wireless platform powers the micro-LEDs and performs low-latency, on-chip processing of sensed physiological signals to control photostimulation in a closed loop. We use the device to reveal the role of various neuronal subtypes, sensory pathways and supraspinal projections in the control of locomotion in healthy and spinal-cord injured mice.

光电系统可以对不受束缚的动物的整个大脑中的目标神经元和通路进行精确控制，但用于脊髓的类似技术还没有很好地建立。在本研究中，我们描述了一个系统，用于在不受束缚的小鼠中对整个背腹脊髓的目标神经元和通路进行超快、无线、闭环操作。我们开发了一种柔软的可拉伸载体，集成了微型发光二极管 (micro-LED)，它符合脊髓的硬脑膜。在 micro-LED 上涂上一层有机硅-荧光粉基质提供了机械保护和光转换，从而与大量视蛋白库兼容。一个轻量级的头戴式无线平台为微型 LED 供电并执行低延迟，对感应到的生理信号进行片上处理，以在闭环中控制光刺激。我们使用该设备来揭示各种神经元亚型、感觉通路和脊髓上投射在健康和脊髓损伤小鼠运动控制中的作用。