A neural simulation system based on biologically realistic electronic neurons

This paper describes an original neural simulation platform designed as a tool for computational neuroscience. The system, based on artificial electronic neurons implemented in specific integrated circuits, computes in real-time and emulates in analogue mode the electrical activity of single neurons or small neural networks. Neurons are modelled using a biologically realistic description of membrane excitability and synaptic connectivity. The characteristics of the simulator are discussed and simulation examples are presented, including the implementation of "hybrid networks", where living neurons and artificial one are interacting in real-time in a mixed neural network.

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