Description:

The continuing development of implantable neural prostheses signals a new era in bioengineering and neuroscience research. This collection of essays outlines current advances in research on the intracranial implantation of devices that can communicate with the brain in order to restore sensory, motor, or cognitive functions. The contributors explore the creation of biologically realistic mathematical models of brain function, the production of microchips that incorporate those models, and the integration of microchip and brain function through neuron-silicon interfaces. Recent developments in understanding the computational and cognitive properties of the brain and rapid advances in biomedical and computer engineering both contribute to this cutting-edge research.

The book first examines the development of sensory system prostheses -- cochlear, retinal, and visual implants -- as the best foundation for considering the extension of neural prostheses to the central brain region. The book then turns to the complexity of neural representations, offering, among other approaches to the topic, one of the few existing theoretical frameworks for modeling the hierarchical organization of neural systems. Next, it examines the challenges of designing and controlling the interface between neurons and silicon, considering the necessity for bidirectional communication and for multiyear duration of the implant. Finally, the book looks at hardware implementations and explores possible ways to achieve the complexity of neural function in hardware, including the use of VLSI and photonic technologies.

Theodore W. Berger is Professor of Biomedical Engineering in the School of Engineering at the University of Southern California.

Dennis L. Glanzman is Program Chief for Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

 

Table of Contents:

Preface	vii
I	SENSORY SYSTEMS	1
1	We Made the Deaf Hear. Now What? Gerald E. Loeb	3
2	Microelectronic Array for Stimulation of Large Retinal Tissue Areas Dean Scribner, M. Humayun, Brian Justus, Charles Merritt, R. Klein, J. G. Howard, M. Peckerar, F. K. Perkins, E. Margalit, Kah-Guan Au Eong, J. Weiland, E. de Juan, Jr., J. Finch, R. Graham, C. Trautfield and S. Taylor	15
3	Imaging Two-Dimensional Neural Activity Patterns in the Cat Visual Cortex using a Multielectrode Array David J. Warren, Richard A. Normann and Alexei Koulakov	43
II	NEURAL REPRESENTATIONS	67
4	Brain Parts on Multiple Scales: Examples from the Auditory System Ellen Covey	69
5	A Protocol for Reading the Mind Howard Eichenbaum	91
6	Cognitive Processes in Replacement Brain Parts: A Code for All Reasons Robert Hampson, John Simeral and Sam A. Deadwyler	111
7	Mathematical Modeling as a Basic Tool for Neuromimetic Circuits Gilbert A. Chauvet, P. Chauvet and Theodore W. Berger	129
8	Real-Time Spatiotemporal Databases to Support Human Motor Skills Shahram Ghandeharizadeh	159
III	NEURON/SILICON INTERFACES	175
9	Long-Term Functional Contact between Nerve Cell Networks and Microelectrode Arrays Guenter W. Gross, Emese Dian, Edward G. Keefer, Alexandra Gramowski and Simone Stuewe	177
10	Building Minimalistic Hybrid Neuroelectric Devices James J. Hickman	205
11	The Biotic/Abiotic Interface: Achievements and Foreseeable Challenges Roberta Diaz Brinton, Walid Sousou, Michel Baudry, Mark Thompson and Theodore W. Berger	221
IV	HARDWARE IMPLEMENTATIONS	239
12	Brain-Implantable Biomimetic Electronics as a Neural Prosthesis for Hippocampal Memory Function Theodore W. Berger, Roberta Diaz Brinton, Vasilis Z. Marmarelis, Bing J. Sheu and Armand R. Tanguay, Jr.	241
13	Brain Circuit Implementation: High-Precision Computation from Low-Precision Components Richard Granger	277
14	Hybrid Electronic/Photonic Multichip Modules for Vision and Neural Prosthetic Applications Armand R. Tanguay, Jr. and B. Keith Jenkins	295
15	Reconfigurable Processors for Neural Prostheses Jose Mumbru, Krishna V. Shenoy, George Panotopoulos, Suat Ay, Xin An, Fai Mok and Demetri Psaltis	335
16	The Coming Revolution: The Merging of Computational Neural Science and Semiconductor Engineering Dan Hammerstorm	369
	Contributors	385
	Index	389