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Real-time interaction between a neuromorphic electronic circuit and the spinal cord
R Jung1, E J Brauer, J J Abbas
1Center for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506-0070, USA. jung@uky.edu
Summary
Researchers demonstrated real-time interaction between a lamprey spinal cord and neuromorphic hardware. Bidirectional coupling achieved stable neural oscillations, paving the way for advanced neuroprostheses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering
- Computational Neuroscience
- Neural Engineering
Background:
- Investigating neural circuitry dynamics is crucial for understanding motor control.
- Developing bio-integrated electronic systems offers potential for restoring lost function.
- The lamprey spinal cord provides a well-characterized model for studying neural pattern generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate real-time dynamic interaction between an isolated oscillatory spinal cord and neuromorphic hardware.
- To explore the effects of unidirectional and bidirectional coupling on neural activity.
- To establish a platform for studying neural circuitry dynamics and developing neuroprosthetic applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an isolated lamprey spinal cord as a biological oscillatory component.
- Employed custom-designed neuromorphic analog very large scale integration (aVLSI) hardware to mimic spinal motor pattern generating circuitry.
- Interfaced the biological neural tissue with the electronic circuit in both unidirectional and bidirectional modes.
Main Results:
- Achieved stable and persistent neural oscillations through bidirectional coupling between the spinal cord and the neuromorphic circuit.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of real-time dynamic interaction between biological neural tissue and artificial electronic hardware.
- Validated the experimental platform's capability to probe intrinsic neural circuitry dynamics.
Conclusions:
- The developed experimental platform enables novel investigations into the dynamic interactions within neural circuits.
- Bidirectional coupling is effective in stabilizing oscillatory activity in neural-electronic interfaces.
- This neuromorphic aVLSI approach holds significant promise for the future development of neuroprostheses aimed at restoring complex neuromotor functions.