Control strategies for underactuated neural ensembles driven by optogenetic stimulation

Area of Science:

• Computational Neuroscience
• Neural Engineering

Background:

• Optogenetic stimulation experiments motivate the study of spike control in neuronal ensembles.
• Integrate-and-fire neurons with common conductance input are considered.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop spike control strategies for ensembles of uncoupled integrate-and-fire neurons.
• To investigate the role of parameter heterogeneity in achieving neural spike control.
• To explore implications for neuroprosthetics and neurocontrol.

Main Methods:

• Constructing spike control strategies for multineuron action potential trains.
• Analyzing controllability in pairs of neurons using parameter heterogeneity.
• Determining the relationship between controllable and observed neurons in large ensembles.
• Investigating collateral spiking during subensemble control.

Main Results:

• Parameter heterogeneity enables control of spike patterns up to maximal rates.
• A simple rule for controllability in pairs of neurons is identified.
• Common drive can induce non-synchronous spiking.
• The number of controllable neurons scales with observed neurons in large ensembles.
• Exploiting dynamical heterogeneity allows for partial subensemble control.

Conclusions:

• Complete control of every neuron with a single input is not feasible.
• Partial control strategies are possible by leveraging dynamical heterogeneity.
• These findings are relevant for underactuated neural stimulation technologies.
• Results suggest potential for sensory neuroprosthetics and neurocontrol applications.