title: An analog memory circuit for spiking silicon neurons.
abstract: A simple circuit is described that functions as an analog memory whose state and dynamics are directly controlled by pulsatile inputs. The circuit has been incorporated into a silicon neuron with a spatially extensive dendritic tree as a means of controlling the spike firing threshold of an integrate-and-fire soma. Spiking activity generated by the neuron itself and by other units in a network can thereby regulate the neuron's excitability over time periods ranging from milliseconds to many minutes. Experimental results are presented showing applications to temporal edge sharpening, bistable behavior, and a network that learns in the manner of classical conditioning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark 19716, USA.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Northmore
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Westerman
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000703:Analog-Digital Conversion; D016477:Artifacts; D003202:Computers, Analog; D003712:Dendrites / Q000502:physiology; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D008568:Memory; D016571:Neural Networks, Computer; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D012825:Silicon; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology; D014173:Transistors, Electronic
chemical_list: D012825:Silicon