A Circuit Model of Sensory Receptor Function

Authors

  • Gerry Fung Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3G4
  • Willy Wong Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3G4

Abstract

The main objective of this work is the design of a circuit that can mimic the activity of sensory receptors. Several integrate-and-fire models have been proposed for a generic neuron: Lapicque’s RC circuit, the Hodgkin and Huxley model, and various VLSI circuits. The first two models do not respond appropriately to time-varying stimuli. On the other hand, the problem with many VLSI circuits is that they are usually designed to demonstrate specific neural features, for a single neural pathway.

The firing rate of a periphery sensory neuron can be explained by using a theoretical model based upon information transmission along the nerve fiber [1]. This model accounts for varying neural firing rates, and adaptation/deadaptation effects. By modifying an integrate-and-fire circuit, one can mimic the equivalent behaviour of this theoretical model.

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Published

2002-12-31

How to Cite

[1]
G. Fung and W. Wong, “A Circuit Model of Sensory Receptor Function”, CMBES Proc., vol. 27, no. 1, Dec. 2002.

Issue

Vol. 27 (2002)

Section

Academic