A Platform for Spatiotemporal “Matrix” Stimulation in Brain Networks Reveals Novel Forms of Circuit Plasticity

Here we demonstrate a facile method by which to deliver complex spatiotemporal stimulation to neural networks in fast patterns, to trigger interesting forms of circuit-level plasticity in cortical areas. We present a complete platform by which patterns of electricity can be arbitrarily defined and distributed across a brain circuit, either simultaneously, asynchronously, or in complex patterns that can be easily designed and orchestrated with precise timing. Interfacing with acute slices of mouse cortex, we show that our system can be used to activate neurons at many locations and drive synaptic transmission in distributed patterns, and that this elicits new forms of plasticity that may not be observable via traditional methods, including interesting measurements of associational and sequence plasticity. Finally, we introduce an automated “network assay” for imaging activation and plasticity across a circuit. Spatiotemporal stimulation opens the door for high-throughput explorations of plasticity at the circuit level, and may provide a basis for new types of adaptive neural prosthetics.

Epilogue

This section summarizes the main neuroscientific and philosophical issues regarding neural prosthetics. It comments on the therapeutic potential of more and less invasive systems to restore sensory, motor, and cognitive functions. It also speculates on future neural prosthetics and how they might change our view of the brain–mind relation and our concept of ourselves as humans. The current state of neural prosthetics does not indicate that machines and implants control the thought and behaviour of people to whom they are connected or in whom they are implanted. There is no loss of control but shared control between these artificial systems and the people who use them. The rehabilitative and restorative capacity of neural prosthetics enable those with neurological or physical disabilities to acquire or regain functional independence.

Neural Prosthetics

Neural prosthetics (neuroprostheses, neural prostheses) are devices or systems that influence the input and output of information in the brain. They modulate, bypass, supplement, or replace regions of the brain and its connections to the body that are damaged, dysfunctional, or lost from brain injury, congenital conditions, limb loss, or neurodegenerative disease. Neural prosthetics can generate, improve, or restore sensory, motor, and cognitive functions. Some prosthetics are implanted in the brain. Others are connected to it in brain–computer interfacing. This book describes auditory and visual prosthetics, deep brain and responsive neurostimulation, brain–computer interfaces, brain-to-brain interfaces, optogenetics, and memory prosthetics and discusses some of their neuroscientific and philosophical implications. The neuroscientific discussion focuses on how neural prosthetics can restore brain and bodily functions. The philosophical discussion focuses on how people with these prosthetics can benefit from or be harmed by them. It also focuses on how these devices and systems can lead to a better understanding of or change our attitudes about the brain–mind relation, identity, mental causation, and agency. The book considers the therapeutic, rehabilitative, and restorative potential of neural prosthetics in improving functional independence and quality of life for millions of people with disabling conditions.

An intrinsically healing artificial neuromorphic device

An intrinsically healing neuromorphic device was constructed and showed great potential for applications in bioinspired humanoid robots, neural prosthetics, and cybernetic devices.