European Commission logo
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

A SYnaptically connected brain-silicon Neural Closed-loop Hybrid system

Project description

A brain–computer interface for the treatment of neurological diseases

Neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and dementia are associated with dysfunction of brain networks. The EU-funded SYNCH project proposes the development of a hybrid brain implantable device that offers the possibility to restore connectivity and improve neural information processing. The technology behind this innovative approach integrates an artificial network of electronic neurons on silicon chips into the biological network of neurons in the brain. This is achieved through a neural interface which is implanted in the brain and enables the communication between the biological and artificial neurons. The project is expected to revolutionise the treatment of neurological disorders.

Objective

The brain, with its remarkable computational properties, provides animals with capabilities of physical autonomy, interaction and adaptation that are unmatched by any artificial system. The brain is a complex network that has evolved to optimize processing of real-world inputs by relying on event-based signaling and self-reorganizing connectivity. Spikes (the events) are transmitted between neurons through synapses which undergo continuous ‘birth’-‘death’ and adjustment, reconfiguring brain circuits and adapting processing to ever changing inputs.
The scientific and technological objective of the project is to create a hybrid system where a neural network in the brain of a living animal (BNN) and a silicon neural network of spiking neurons on a chip (SNN) are interconnected by neuromorphic synapses, thus enabling co-evolution of connectivity and co-processing of information of the two networks

Call for proposal

H2020-FETPROACT-2018-2020

See other projects for this call

Sub call

H2020-FETPROACT-2018-01

Coordinator

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA
Net EU contribution
€ 370 500,00
Address
VIA 8 FEBBRAIO 2
35122 Padova
Italy

See on map

Region
Nord-Est Veneto Padova
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 396 300,00

Participants (7)