Neuron-Semiconductor Chip with Chemical Synapse between Identified Neurons

Abstract

Noninvasive electrical stimulation and recording of neuronal networks from semiconductor chips is a prerequisite for the development of neuroelectronic devices. In a proof-of-principle experiment, we implemented the fundamental element of such future hybrids by joining a silicon chip with an excitatory chemical synapse between a pair of identified neurons from the pond snail. We stimulated the presynaptic cell (VD4) with a chip capacitor and recorded the activity of the postsynaptic cell (LPeD1) with a transistor. We enhanced the strength of the soma-soma synapse by repetitive capacitor stimulation, establishing a neuronal memory on the silicon chip.