Neurons in the loop: from neurorobotics to neuroprosthetics

#in #vitro #MEA #hybrid #neuromorphic #real-time #bi-directional #network #burst #coding #decoding

Starting from the 20s, researchers have begun to explore the possibility to create ‘hybrid’ systems in vitro at the interface between neuroscience and robotics. The first-ever in vitro closed-loop system consisted of a lamprey brainstem bi-directionally connected to a small robot. Inspired by that pioneering study, we developed a bi-directional system involving neocortical neurons onto Micro Electrode Arrays and a small robot. A closed-loop paradigm was also exploited to develop a novel concept of a ‘neuromorphic prosthesis’, constituted by an all-hardware real-time system able to replace the function of a missing neuronal connection or sub-network.existing systems for upper limb functional electrical stimulation. Finally, finger control is ultimately limited by the number of independent electrodes that can be placed within cortex or the nerves, and this is in turn limited by the extent of glial scarring surrounding an electrode. Therefore, we developed an electrode array based on 8 um carbon fibers, no bigger than the neurons themselves to enable chronic recording of single units with minimal scarring. The long-term goal of this work is to make neural interfaces for the restoration of hand movement a clinical reality for everyone who has lost the use of their hands.

References

1. Tessadori J, Bisio M, Martinoia S, and Chiappalone M. Modular neuronal assemblies embodied in a closed-loop environment: towards future integration of brains and machines. Frontiers in Neural Circuits 6:99, 2012.
2. Bonifazi P, Difato F, Massobrio P, Breschi GL, Pasquale V, Levi T, Goldin M, Bornat Y, Tedesco M, Bisio M, Kanner S, Galron R, Tessadori J, Taverna S and Chiappalone M. In vitro large-scale experimental and theoretical studies for the realization of bi-directional brain-prostheses. Frontiers in Neural Circuits 7:40, 2013.
3. Bisio M, Bosca A, Pasquale V, Berdondini L, and Chiappalone M. Emergence of bursting activity in connected neuronal sub-populations. PLoS ONE, 9(9): e107400, 2014. 4. Tessadori J and Chiappalone M. Closed-loop neuro-robotic experiments to test computational properties of neuronal networks. Journal of Visualized Experiments, 97, 2015.
4. Buccelli S, Bornat Y, Colombi I, Ambroise M, Martines L, Pasquale V, Bisio M, Tessadori J, Nowak P, Grassia F, Averna A, Tedesco M, Bonifazi P, Difato F, Massobrio P, Levi T, and Chiappalone M. A neuromorphic prosthesis to restore communication in neuronal networks. iScience. 19:402-414, 2019.

• Date: 06 Jul 2021
• Time: 04:30 PM to 05:30 PM
• All times are (GMT+05:30) Asia/Calcutta
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• School of Medical Science and Technology
• Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
• Kharagpur, West Bengal
• India 721302

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