Minimally-invasive device with multipoint optical stimulation for optogenetics

Researchers have designed a minimally-invasive device that can selectively and dynamically illuminate multiple brain regions for optogenetics applications.  The device is a waveguide comprising a single thin optical fibre with a sharp, tapered tip coated with gold (except for the tip).  Emission of desired modes of light was permitted at specific sites along the taper by locally removing the coating to create windows.  Each window could be addressed by adjusting the angle of the incident light on the input facet of the fibre.  In vivo proof of principle experiments demonstrated the effectiveness of the device.

Multipoint-Emitting Optical Fibers for Spatially Addressable In Vivo Optogenetics; F. Pisanello et al, Neuron; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2014.04.041

http://www.cell.com/neuron/abstract/S0896-6273(14)00356-0

Simulating neural networks

A fast and energy efficient circuit board which models neural circuits in the human brain offers new opportunities for robotics and brain-machine interfaces.  The device contains 16 chips and consumes just three watts to simulate in real time the computing capability of a million neurons with billions of synaptic connections.

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?arnumber=6805187

Neurogrid: A mixed-analog-digital multichip system for large-scale neural simulations; B.V.Benjamin et al; Proceedings of the IEEE; DOI 10.1109/JPROC.2014.2313565; 2014.