Bio-stimulation of artificial systems
The NEUROBIT project focused on the bi-directional connection between an in-vitro brain and an artificial body and developed suitable tools and technology for this purpose. In this way the unique plastic properties of the brain can be exploited to control the sensorimotor behaviour of an artificial body, such as a mobile robot. This may lead to new ways of using neuro-engineered units for information processing and explore the means that bioartificial systems code the information. Part of the project work involved the investigation of the network's response to modulated stimulation protocols. These protocols were prepared on the basis of two stimulation examples, namely the tetanic and the Spike Timing Dependent Plasticity (STDP) stimulation. The key aim was to induce activity-dependent and pathway-specific modifications in cortical networks cultured over Multi-Electrode Array (MEA) devices. Exploitation of the MEAs' features and use of combined specific stimulation patterns allowed the modulation of the evoked response of a cortical network. Various stimulation patterns were implemented (tetanic coactivation, lack of coactivation site) and different response patterns were observed. The main innovative aspects in this study rely in the effects on the entity response, the timing and the recruitment process. The analysis of the network's functional connectivity and the changes in the pathways activated by each stimulating site showed that connections increase and their strength results improve after the tetanus. For more information click at: http://www.bio.dibe.unige.it/neurobit.htm(opens in new window)
