Determination of drug actions on multiple simultaneously recorded neurons across functionally connected networks

Humans have used psychoactive substances to alter cognitive processes and behavior since the time of ancient civilizations. However, we still do not fully understand the linkage between the impact of these substances on neurons and the resulting behavior. As discussed by other authors in this book, many methods exist for determining how drugs of abuse or any pharmacological agent affects brain function at the molecular, cellular, or systemic level. This continuum stretches from effects on individual ion channels to effects on individual neuronal signaling properties to global indices of cortical function. Our approach utilizes simultaneous, multiple single-cell recordings to determine the actions of psychoactive substances on local circuit and larger neural network functions. These studies describe how information encoded within a group of neurons is altered following administration of drugs of abuse in the awake, freely moving animal.