Brains–Computers–Machines: Neural Engineering in Science Classrooms

Chudler, Eric H.; Bergsman, Kristen Clapper

doi:10.1187/cbe.15-11-0242

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…CNT education staff have extensive experience developing curriculum resources related to neuroscience and neural engineering. 1 , 2 We decided to create an innovative program that leveraged existing online learning resources from other organizations packaged with at-home learning resources we would design ourselves. An added strength of our plan was to use our existing connections with affiliated faculty members across engineering departments who we had previously identified as being engaging speakers for pre-college audiences.…”

Section: Novel Initiativementioning

confidence: 99%

Adapting a Neural Engineering Summer Camp for High School Students to a Fully Online Experience

Bergsman

Chudler

2020

Biomed Eng Education

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The COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting health and safety concerns caused the cancellation of many engineering education opportunities for high school students. To expose high school students to the field of neural engineering and encourage them to pursue academic pathways in biomedical engineering, the Center for Neurotechnology (CNT) at the University of Washington converted an inperson summer camp to a fully online program (Virtual REACH Program, VRP) offering both synchronous and asynchronous resources. The VRP is a five-day online program that focuses on a different daily theme (neuroscience, brain-computer interfaces, electrical stimulation, neuroethics, career/academic pathways). Each day, the VRP starts with a live videoconference meeting (lecture and interactive discussion) with a CNT faculty member. The online lectures are supported by at-home learning resources (e.g., text, videos, activities, quizzes) embedded within a digital book created using the Pressbook platform. An online bulletin board (Padlet) is also used by students to share artifacts and build community. Program evaluation will be conducted by an external evaluator. A summative survey will collect information on participants' experiences in the VRP and will help inform future iterations of the program. Although significant time was required to create a digital book, the VRP will reach a larger audience than the prior inperson program and resulted in the creation of learning tools that can be used in the future.

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Section: Novel Initiativementioning

confidence: 99%

Adapting a Neural Engineering Summer Camp for High School Students to a Fully Online Experience

Bergsman

Chudler

2020

Biomed Eng Education

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“…Visual memory [15] is an important cognitive factor that is substantially fostered through learning. The importance of memory, as a significant cognitive factor, has been valued by neurologists and artificial intelligence and brain engineering specialists [16,17]. Experimental research has greatly expanded our understanding of the brain, particularly with regard to the role of the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex in memory, decision-making, and other mental processes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncovering the Neurobiological Consequences of High-Voltage Electrical Field Exposure on the Visual Working Memory of Macaques and Also Using Spiking Neural Network Model

Aliyari,

Hosseinian,

Menhaj

et al. 2023

BCN

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High-voltage (HV) power transmission lines running near cities and villages can cause severe damage (Mental and physical). Due to the magnetic and electric fields they produce. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-voltage (HV) electric fields on the spiking neural network model of the brain and biological and behavioral models of visual working memory. To achieve this goal, macaques were studied for their cognitive functions, expression of the NMDA receptor gene, MRI-assisted analysis of brain anatomy, and variations in blood sodium and potassium concentrations. The experimental group of macaques was exposed to a 3kV/m high-voltage field for four hours a day for one month. Computational models were then evaluated using experimental parameters. According to the results, it was observed that being exposed to high-voltage electric fields led to a reduction in the expression of the NMDA receptor gene, as well as a decrease in the levels of Sodium and potassium ions in the blood plasma. Additionally, analysis assisted by MRI showed a decrease in the volume of the hippocampus and amygdala after exposure to the electric field. In conclusion, the results of cognitive, genetic, blood, and MRI tests, along with the spiking neural network model, elucidate the mechanism of the visual working memory deterioration in macaques due to high-voltage electric field exposure.

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“…In other words, eels have a form of high-fidelity remote control over the nervous systems of other animals. The finding was somewhat obvious in retrospect, because this mode of motor neuron activation is the same mechanism underlying law enforcement TASERs, commonly used therapeutic transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation [ 17 ] (TENS), and even classroom demonstrations using student subjects [ 18 ].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Electric Eels Wield a Functional Venom Analogue

Catania

2021

Toxins

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In this paper, I draw an analogy between the use of electricity by electric eels (Electrophorus electricus) to paralyze prey muscles and the use of venoms that paralyze prey by disrupting the neuromuscular junction. The eel’s strategy depends on the recently discovered ability of eels to activate prey motor neuron efferents with high-voltage pulses. Usually, eels use high voltage to cause brief, whole-body tetanus, thus preventing escape while swallowing prey whole. However, when eels struggle with large prey, or with prey held precariously, they often curl to bring their tail to the opposite side. This more than doubles the strength of the electric field within shocked prey, ensuring maximal stimulation of motor neuron efferents. Eels then deliver repeated volleys of high-voltage pulses at a rate of approximately 100 Hz. This causes muscle fatigue that attenuates prey movement, thus preventing both escape and defense while the eel manipulates and swallows the helpless animal. Presumably, the evolution of enough electrical power to remotely activate ion channels in prey efferents sets the stage for the selection of eel behaviors that functionally “poison” prey muscles.

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Brains–Computers–Machines: Neural Engineering in Science Classrooms

Cited by 7 publications

References 7 publications

Adapting a Neural Engineering Summer Camp for High School Students to a Fully Online Experience

Adapting a Neural Engineering Summer Camp for High School Students to a Fully Online Experience

Uncovering the Neurobiological Consequences of High-Voltage Electrical Field Exposure on the Visual Working Memory of Macaques and Also Using Spiking Neural Network Model

Electric Eels Wield a Functional Venom Analogue

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