Application of many- neuron microelectrode array recording and the study of reward-seeking behavior

This chapter describes the application of multichannel electrophysiological recording in the awake behaving rat to the study of the neurobiology of drug abuse and reward. The in vivo many-neuron recording technique described here allows for the simultaneous measurement of the spike activity of dozens of individual neurons in behaving rodents. Its purpose is to provide a real-time window onto neuronal function so that we may better understand the relationship between neuronal activity and behavior. Many-neuron electrophysiology therefore can be used to ask questions regarding the contribution of specific neural circuits to reward-seeking behavior. We can ask: how do neuronal networks acquire, process, and act upon information about rewards in the environment?.