Memristive synapses connect brain and silicon spiking neurons

Abstract

Brain function relies on circuits of spiking neurons with synapses playing the key role of merging transmission with memory storage and processing. electronics has made important advances to emulate neurons and synapses and brain-computer interfacing concepts that interlink brain and braininspired devices are beginning to materialise. We report on memristive links between brain and silicon spiking neurons that emulate transmission and plasticity properties of real synapses. A memristor paired with a metal-thin film titanium oxide microelectrode connects a silicon neuron to a neuron of the rat hippocampus. Memristive plasticity accounts for modulation of connection strength, while transmission is mediated by weighted stimuli through the thin film oxide leading to responses that resemble excitatory postsynaptic potentials. the reverse brain-to-silicon link is established through a microelectrode-memristor pair. on these bases, we demonstrate a three-neuron brain-silicon network where memristive synapses undergo long-term potentiation or depression driven by neuronal firing rates.

Neurostimulation stabilizes spiking neural networks by disrupting seizure-like oscillatory transitions

“…Additional future work could investigate how in vitro neuromodulatory stimuli can be optimized so as not to induce oscillatory activity, with our analysis here providing initial evidence www.nature.com/scientificreports/ that stimulation with a sufficiently high frequency may accomplish this through selectively activating inhibitory cells in a non-rhythmic fashion. The use of bio-hybrid systems [92][93][94][95] could provide an useful tool in such research. A paramount use of these mathematical findings is towards the articulation of a theoretical understanding of how neuromodulation acts to mitigate seizure onset, and in turn potential pathways through which these treatments might be improved.…”

Advances of RRAM Devices: Resistive Switching Mechanisms, Materials and Bionic Synaptic Application

“…As the key role during the information delivery process, a synapse is responsible for transmitting impulses from one neuron to another, which is considered to provide dynamical interconnections between two connecting neurons. Figure 11 demonstrated the basic structure of biological synapse, which mainly includes presynaptic membrane, synaptic cleft, postsynaptic membrane, and neurotransmitter [143]. Presynaptic membrane and synaptic vesicle are included by the presynaptic element, which is the dendrite/axon terminal of pre-neuron.…”

Memristive TiO2: Synthesis, Technologies, and Applications

“…Thus, TiO 2 can be implemented as a nanobiointerface coating and integrated with memristive electronics either as a planar configuration of memristors and electrodes (Illarionov et al, 2019 ) or as a functionalization of MEAs to provide good cell adhesion and signal transmission. The known examples are electrolyte/TiO 2 /Si( p -type) capacitors (Schoen and Fromherz, 2008 ) or capacitive TiO 2 /Al electrodes (Serb et al, 2020 ). As a demonstration of the state of the art, an attempt at memristive interlinking between the brain and brain-inspired devices has been recently reported (Serb et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The known examples are electrolyte/TiO 2 /Si( p -type) capacitors (Schoen and Fromherz, 2008 ) or capacitive TiO 2 /Al electrodes (Serb et al, 2020 ). As a demonstration of the state of the art, an attempt at memristive interlinking between the brain and brain-inspired devices has been recently reported (Serb et al, 2020 ). The long-term potentiation and depression of TiO 2 -based memristive synapses have been demonstrated in relation to the neuronal firing rates of biologically active cells.…”