Optogenetics in Silicon: A Neural Processor for Predicting Optically Active Neural Networks

Abstract

We present a reconfigurable neural processor for real-time simulation and prediction of opto-neural behaviour. We combined a detailed Hodgkin-Huxley CA3 neuron integrated with a four-state Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) model into reconfigurable silicon hardware. Our architecture consists of a Field Programmable Gated Array (FPGA) with a custom-built computing data-path, a separate data management system and a memory approach based router. Advancements over previous work include the incorporation of short and long-term calcium and light-dependent ion channels in reconfigurable hardware. Also, the developed processor is computationally efficient, requiring only 0.03 ms processing time per sub-frame for a single neuron and 9.7 ms for a fully connected network of 500 neurons with a given FPGA frequency of 56.7 MHz. It can therefore be utilized for exploration of closed loop processing and tuning of biologically realistic optogenetic circuitry.

Citation

(2016). Optogenetics in Silicon: A Neural Processor for Predicting Optically Active Neural Networks. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Circuits and Systems, 15-27. https://doi.org/10.1109/TBCAS.2016.2571339

• Acceptance Date: Apr 27, 2016
• Publication Date: Aug 17, 2016
• Journal: IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Circuits and Systems
• Print ISSN: 1932-4545
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• Pages: 15-27
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TBCAS.2016.2571339
• Keywords: Optogenetics, ChR2, Neural Processor, FPGA, Neuromorphic Circuits, Neuroprothesis, Hodgkin Huxley
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TBCAS.2016.2571339