MIT just produced three groundbreaking innovations that allowed them to map whole hemispheres of the human brain.
A parasitic fungus compels its insect host to behave in strange ways by hijacking secretory neurons and circadian pathways.
Current computing systems rely on Boolean logic and von Neumann architecture, where computing cells are based on high-speed electron-conducting complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) transistors. In contrast, ions play an essential role in biological neural computing. Compared with CMOS units, the synapse/neuron computing speed is much lower, but the human brain performs much better in many tasks such as pattern recognition and decision-making. Recently, ionic dynamics in oxide electrolyte-gated transistors have attracted increasing attention in the field of neuromorphic computing, which is more similar to the computing modality in the biological brain. In this review article, we start with the introduction of some ionic processes in biological brain computing. Then, electrolyte-gated ionic transistors, especially oxide ionic transistors, are briefly introduced. Later, we review the state-of-the-art progress in oxide electrolyte-gated transistors for ionic neuromorphic computing including dynamic synaptic plasticity emulation, spatiotemporal information processing, and artificial sensory neuron function implementation. Finally, we will address the current challenges and offer recommendations along with potential research directions.
Keywords: bio-inspired computing; ionic transistors; oxide semiconductors.
Memristive devices with both electrically and optically induced synaptic dynamic behaviors will be crucial to the accomplishment of brain-inspired neuromorphic computing systems, in which the resistive materials and device architectures are two of the most important cornerstones, but still under challenge. Herein, kuramite Cu3SnS4 is newly introduced into poly-methacrylate as the switching medium to construct memristive devices, and the expected high-performance bio-mimicry of diverse optoelectronic synaptic plasticity is demonstrated. In addition to the excellent basic performances, such as stable bipolar resistive switching with On/Off ratio of ∼486, Set/Reset voltage of ∼-0.88/+0.96 V, and good retention feature of up to 104 s, the new designs of memristors possess not only the multi-level controllable resistive-switching memory property but also the capability of mimicking optoelectronic synaptic plasticity, including electrically and visible/near-infrared light-induced excitatory postsynaptic currents, short-/long-term memory, spike-timing-dependent plasticity, long-term plasticity/depression, short-term plasticity, paired-pulse facilitation, and “learning-forgetting-learning” behavior as well. Predictably, as a new class of switching medium material, such proposed kuramite-based artificial optoelectronic synaptic device has great potential to be applied to construct neuromorphic architectures in simulating human brain functions.
© 2023 Author(s). Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.
BOSTON — There currently is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but scientists may have discovered a potential path to slow or stop the disease. Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that can cause movement problems such as tremors, poor balance, and walking difficulties, and it can also impair cognitive function. There is no cure and treatments aim to simply reduce symptoms. But a new study in mice by researchers at Johns Hopkins offers new hope. They found that the interaction of two proteins is key to the buildup of protein clumps in the brain that damage healthy brain cells in Parkinson’s. They also suggest that disrupting these proteins with a drug already approved by the FDA to treat cancer could potentially slow or stop the brain damage associated with Parkinson’s. The next step would be to conduct clinical trials in humans, but that will take time.
Motaman, S., Ghafouri, T. & Manavizadeh, N. Sci Rep 14, 10,691 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61224-x.
A probe incorporating 1,024 simultaneously recorded channels with shank length up to 90 mm exhibits high chronic recording stability and enables brain-wide large-scale neural population recordings with single-cell resolution in non-human primates.
Researchers at University of Michigan have developed a method to produce artificially grown miniature brains—called human brain organoids—free of animal cells that could greatly improve the way neurodegenerative conditions are studied and, eventually, treated.
Over the last decade of researching neurologic diseases, scientists have explored the use of human brain organoids as an alternative to mouse models. These self-assembled, 3D tissues derived from embryonic or pluripotent stem cells more closely model the complex brain structure compared to conventional two-dimensional cultures.
Until now, the engineered network of proteins and molecules that give structure to the cells in brain organoids, known as extracellular matrices, often used a substance derived from mouse sarcomas called Matrigel. That method suffers significant disadvantages, with a relatively undefined composition and batch-to-batch variability.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine and the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging say their study of 40 older adults with obesity and insulin resistance who were randomly assigned to either an intermittent fasting diet or a standard healthy diet approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers important clues about the potential benefits of both eating plans on brain health.
Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences, regulating the transcription of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA (mRNA). These proteins play a pivotal role in the regulation of gene expression, which in turn impacts a wide range of biological processes and brain functions.
