Optimized protocol for in vivo whole-cell recordings in head-fixed, awake behaving mice

This protocol describes stable in vivo recordings of neuronal membrane potential in awake behaving, head-fixed mice. Previous protocols often highlight the need to minimize animal movements by anesthesia or restraint. This protocol is optimized to minimize brain movements during animal motion and has been used to record neurons in the olfactory bulb and visual cortex during active licking and locomotion behaviors. Under optimal conditions, success rates lie between 30% and 50% (recordings per microelectrode), with durations of up to 30 min. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Jordan et al. (2018) and Jordan and Keller (2020).