Neuropixels

To understand how the brain operates, we must measure and influence the activity of a myriad individual neurons distributed across brain regions. Until recently, this had been impossible: recording methods could either resolve the activity of individual neurons or monitor multiple brain regions. Starting in 2017, Neuropixels probes have made it possible, by packing about 1,000 recording sites over a one-centimeter shank. Since then, multiple versions of the probes have been designed, tested, and released, including Neuropixels 2.0,  Neuropixels NHP, and Neuropixels Ultra. In 2025, a new type of probe was announced called  Neuropixels Opto. This probe combines high-resolution electrophysiology and optogenetics. Neuropixels probes are designed and fabricated by IMEC, the nonprofit nanoelectronics research center. Testing and applications of the probes are performed by neuroscientists at multiple institutions including University College London. The probes are available at cost price from neuropixels.org. 

Neuropixels 1.0

Announced in 2017, Neuropixels probes transformed neurophysiology by distributing close to 1,000 recording sites over a narrow, one-centimeter shank, and producing an output that is fully digitized. In the rodent brain, these sites record from hundreds of neurons distributed across brain regions. The 1.0 probes were funded by Wellcome Trust, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Allen Institute for Brain Science, and Gatsby Foundation. The team was led by Tim Harris at Janelia Research Campus. 

Neuropixels 2.0

Announced in 2021, Neuropixels 2.0 probes had smaller dimensions and provided 4 shanks, increasing the scale of recordings and facilitating recordings during free movement. They allowed experimenters to record from the same neurons for weeks or even months.  The 2.0 probes were funded by Wellcome Trust, NTNU, NERF, and Champalimaud Centre. The team was led by Tim Harris at Janelia Research Campus and Matteo Carandini at UCL. 

Neuropixels Ultra

Announced in 2023, Neuropixels Ultra probes allowed denser sampling to improve detection, yield, and cell type specificity of brain recordings.

Neuropixels NHP

Also announced in 2023, Neuropixels NHP provided longer shanks Neuropixels NHP probes provided longer shanks for use in primates including (in certain highly controlled conditions) human patients.

Neuropixels Opto

In 2025, a new type of probe was announced called Neuropixels Opto. This probe combines high-resolution electrophysiology and optogenetics. It has 960 recording sites and 28 emitter sites in two colors (red and blue). This probe is under development by a team funded by Wellcome Trust, Allen Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, NTNU, the NIH BRAIN initiative, and other funders. The team is led by Josh Siegle at the Allen Institute for Brain Science and Matteo Carandini at UCL. The probe is expected to be available to the community in 2028.