Mimicking the Brain, in Silicon.

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/brain-chip-1115.html

Scientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology have designed a computer chip that mimics the way the brain processes information. These processes allow the brain to think, learn new things, and store memory. This silicon chip can mimic the activity of a single brain synapse. This is very exciting because it should reveal much more information about the brain and hopefully will be used in future neural prosthetic devices.

Synapses are the communicating centers (gaps) between neurons in which neurotransmitters are released by the pre-synaptic neurons onto the receptors of the post-synaptic neuron. This opens up ion channels and changes the post-synaptic neuron cell potential. If the signal is strong enough, an action potential is fired by the post-synaptic neuron and an electrical impulse is achieved.

This synapse phenomenon is all controlled by ion channels. The chip developed by the MIT researchers mimics the activity of the ion channels. The chip parameters can be manipulated to mimic certain ion channels and simulate the firing of an action potential.

This is fascinating because these chips could one day be used in artificial intelligence devices, or as a communication between prosthetic devices and the brain. Although only one synapse has been simulated, hopefully this research is the foundation needed to be able to eventually improve the quality of life of people in need of such devices.