Spikeling: A low-cost hardware implementation of a spiking neuron for neuroscience teaching and outreach.
Understanding how neurons encode and compute information is fundamental to our study of the brain, but opportunities for hands-on experience with neurophysiological techniques on live neurons are scarce in science education. Here, we present Spikeling, an open source in silico implementation of a sp...
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2018-10-01
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.2006760 |
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doaj-598db70bf46644c6afb0ea08aab94ac52021-07-02T17:10:09ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Biology1544-91731545-78852018-10-011610e200676010.1371/journal.pbio.2006760Spikeling: A low-cost hardware implementation of a spiking neuron for neuroscience teaching and outreach.Tom BadenBen JamesMaxime J Y ZimmermannPhillip BartelDorieke GrijseelsThomas EulerLeon LagnadoMiguel MaravallUnderstanding how neurons encode and compute information is fundamental to our study of the brain, but opportunities for hands-on experience with neurophysiological techniques on live neurons are scarce in science education. Here, we present Spikeling, an open source in silico implementation of a spiking neuron that costs £25 and mimics a wide range of neuronal behaviours for classroom education and public neuroscience outreach. Spikeling is based on an Arduino microcontroller running the computationally efficient Izhikevich model of a spiking neuron. The microcontroller is connected to input ports that simulate synaptic excitation or inhibition, to dials controlling current injection and noise levels, to a photodiode that makes Spikeling light sensitive, and to a light-emitting diode (LED) and speaker that allows spikes to be seen and heard. Output ports provide access to variables such as membrane potential for recording in experiments or digital signals that can be used to excite other connected Spikelings. These features allow for the intuitive exploration of the function of neurons and networks mimicking electrophysiological experiments. We also report our experience of using Spikeling as a teaching tool for undergraduate and graduate neuroscience education in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.2006760 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Tom Baden Ben James Maxime J Y Zimmermann Phillip Bartel Dorieke Grijseels Thomas Euler Leon Lagnado Miguel Maravall |
spellingShingle |
Tom Baden Ben James Maxime J Y Zimmermann Phillip Bartel Dorieke Grijseels Thomas Euler Leon Lagnado Miguel Maravall Spikeling: A low-cost hardware implementation of a spiking neuron for neuroscience teaching and outreach. PLoS Biology |
author_facet |
Tom Baden Ben James Maxime J Y Zimmermann Phillip Bartel Dorieke Grijseels Thomas Euler Leon Lagnado Miguel Maravall |
author_sort |
Tom Baden |
title |
Spikeling: A low-cost hardware implementation of a spiking neuron for neuroscience teaching and outreach. |
title_short |
Spikeling: A low-cost hardware implementation of a spiking neuron for neuroscience teaching and outreach. |
title_full |
Spikeling: A low-cost hardware implementation of a spiking neuron for neuroscience teaching and outreach. |
title_fullStr |
Spikeling: A low-cost hardware implementation of a spiking neuron for neuroscience teaching and outreach. |
title_full_unstemmed |
Spikeling: A low-cost hardware implementation of a spiking neuron for neuroscience teaching and outreach. |
title_sort |
spikeling: a low-cost hardware implementation of a spiking neuron for neuroscience teaching and outreach. |
publisher |
Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
series |
PLoS Biology |
issn |
1544-9173 1545-7885 |
publishDate |
2018-10-01 |
description |
Understanding how neurons encode and compute information is fundamental to our study of the brain, but opportunities for hands-on experience with neurophysiological techniques on live neurons are scarce in science education. Here, we present Spikeling, an open source in silico implementation of a spiking neuron that costs £25 and mimics a wide range of neuronal behaviours for classroom education and public neuroscience outreach. Spikeling is based on an Arduino microcontroller running the computationally efficient Izhikevich model of a spiking neuron. The microcontroller is connected to input ports that simulate synaptic excitation or inhibition, to dials controlling current injection and noise levels, to a photodiode that makes Spikeling light sensitive, and to a light-emitting diode (LED) and speaker that allows spikes to be seen and heard. Output ports provide access to variables such as membrane potential for recording in experiments or digital signals that can be used to excite other connected Spikelings. These features allow for the intuitive exploration of the function of neurons and networks mimicking electrophysiological experiments. We also report our experience of using Spikeling as a teaching tool for undergraduate and graduate neuroscience education in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.2006760 |
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