Analog circuits for modeling biological neural networks: Design and applications

Computational neuroscience is emerging as a new approach in biological neur al networks studies. In an attempt to contribute to this field, we present here a modeling work based on the implementation of biological neurons usin g specific analog integrated circuits. We first describe the mathematical b asis of such models, then present analog emulations of different neurons, E ach model is compared to its biological real counterpart as well as its num erical computation. Finally, we demonstrate the possible use of these analo g models to interact dynamically with real cells through artificial synapse s within hybrid networks. This method is currently used to explore neural n etworks dynamics.