Electronic Neurons and hybrid circuits

Abstract


Through the analysis of long time series of isolated individual neurons from a Central Pattern Generator (CPG) in the California spiny lobster, we have determined that each of these neurons in normal biological operation expresses four degrees of freedom. From this result we have constructed both numerically and in simple analog circuitry four dimensional models of these neurons. These models display much of the behavior shown by the biological neurons.
We have explored the interaction of these electronic neurons (ENs) both in their coupling to each other and in their coupling to biological neurons in hybrid circuits.
In addition to the electronic neuron we have developed electronic synaptic connections and are in the process of building the entire CPG network of 14 neurons from which we began the research. The CPG is a biological control device. It responds to command signals by putting out regular patterned voltage signals to muscles in the lobster stomatogastric system. We are exploring the use of our electronic CPG as a control system for robotic applications.

People

A. Volkovskii
M. I. Rabinovich
H. D. I Abarbanel
T. Nowotny
A. I. Selverston
N. F. Rulkov
A. Szücs
R. D. Pinto
L. Gibb

Publications

Szücs, A., P. Varona, A. Volkovskii, H. D. I. Abarbanel, M. I. Rabinovich, and A. I. Selverston, Interacting Biological and Electronic Neurons Generate Realistic Oscillatory Rhythms , Neuroreport, 11:563-569 (2000).

R. D. Pinto, R. C. Elson, A. Szucs, M. I. Rabinovich, A. I. Selverston, and H. D. I. Abarbanel, Extended Dynamic Clamp: Controlling up to Four Neurons Using a Single Desktop Computer and Interface , Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 108:39-48 (2001).

Pinto, R. D., P. Varona, A. R. Volkovskii, A. Sz\"cs, H. D. I. Abarbanel, and M. I. Rabinovich, ``Synchronous Behavior of Two Coupled Electronic Neurons, Physical Review E, 62:2644-2656 (2000).

Comments? Contact
Terry Peters, Phone +1-858-534-7753, tpeters (at) ucsd.edu