“A neural prosthesis for restoring lost cognitive function: Brain-implantable biomimetic micro-electronic models of hippocampal input-output activity”

Damage to the hippocampus is frequently associated with epilepsy, stroke, and dementia (Alzheimer´s disease), and is considered to underlie the memory deficits characteristic of these neurological conditions. The essential goals of this multi-laboratory effort include: (1) experimental study of hippocampal neuron and neural network function - how does the hippocampus encode information?, (2) formulation of biologically realistic models of neural system dynamics - can that encoding process be described mathematically to realize a predictive model of how the hippocampus responds to events that need to be remembered?, (3) microchip implementation of neural system models - can the mathematical model be realized as a set of electronic circuits to achieve parallel processing, rapid computational speed, and miniaturization?, and (4) creation of hybrid neuron-silicon interfaces - can structural and functional connections between electronic devices and neural tissue be achieved for long-term, bi-directional communication with the brain? By integrating solutions to these component problems, the team is realizing a microchip-based model of hippocampal nonlinear dynamics that can perform the same memory function as part of the hippocampus.