Neuromorphic-Based Neuroprostheses for Brain Rewiring: State-of-the-Art and Perspectives in Neuroengineering

Abstract

Neuroprostheses are neuroengineering devices that have an interface with the nervous system and supplement or substitute functionality in people with disabilities. In the collective imagination, neuroprostheses are mostly used to restore sensory or motor capabilities, but in recent years, new devices directly acting at the brain level have been proposed. In order to design the next-generation of neuroprosthetic devices for brain repair, we foresee the increasing exploitation of closed-loop systems enabled with neuromorphic elements due to their intrinsic energy efficiency, their capability to perform real-time data processing, and of mimicking neurobiological computation for an improved synergy between the technological and biological counterparts. In this manuscript, after providing definitions of key concepts, we reviewed the first exploitation of a real-time hardware neuromorphic prosthesis to restore the bidirectional communication between two neuronal populations in vitro. Starting from that ‘case-study’, we provide perspectives on the technological improvements for real-time interfacing and processing of neural signals and their potential usage for novel in vitro and in vivo experimental designs. The development of innovative neuroprosthetics for translational purposes is also presented and discussed. In our understanding, the pursuit of neuromorphic-based closed-loop neuroprostheses may spur the development of novel powerful technologies, such as ‘brain-prostheses’, capable of rewiring and/or substituting the injured nervous system.

On temporal scale-free non-periodic stimulation and its mechanisms as an infinite improbability drive of the brain’s functional connectogram

“…Differently from science fiction, the interchangeability between space and time in brain phenomena is a known and well-stablished scientific fact, with a powerful capability of explaining neural function and dysfunction, as we believe we made clear in this manuscript. We particularly envisage a future in which neurostimulation technology, enabled by closed-loop design and advanced-computing capability (e.g., neuromorphism; Chiappalone et al, 2022 ), will automatically choose among myriad parameters and also distinct temporal patterns (from fixed low frequency probing stimuli to high frequency random pulses) to deliver efficacious, efficient, and safe therapy. Further investigation of this promising strategy should be encouraged.…”

Neural Bypasses: Literature Review and Future Directions in Developing Artificial Neural Connections

“…Cortex-to-cortex neural bypasses have also been described and represent an area poised for further research and assistive applications. Buccelli et al demonstrated in vitro that two populations of neocortical cells, once severed in their connection, could regain bidirectional dialogue through activity-dependent bidirectional stimulation [65,66]. The restoration of coordinated activity between the neocortical cell populations was maintained only during active stimulation, and no lasting biological reconnectivity was found.…”

Flexible and stretchable synaptic devices for wearable neuromorphic electronics

“…Flexible and stretchable neuromorphic devices have opened up new avenues for developing systems that can improve the functionality of people with neurological disorders, by combining the fields of bioelectronics and neuroengineering [144][145][146][147][148][149]. Neuroprosthetic devices can receive signals from the brain and stimulate the central and peripheral nervous systems to replace sensory and motor functions.…”