Neural models, mathematical descriptions of neural behavior, are an invaluable tool for developing new medical treatments and understanding how the nervous system works. But as researchers discover more information about the nervous system, these models become more complicated. As a result, many modern neural models require powerful computer hardware, such as supercomputers, in order to be simulated and studied. Unfortunately, these systems are expensive and difficult to use. This project will create a low-cost, user-friendly, and computationally powerful system for neural modeling based on a technology called field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). This project will develop the user-friendly interface tools for creating neuron models on FPGAs, the software that turns a user's model description into an FPGA-compatible program, and a low-cost hardware platform that will maximize the computational power of FPGAs.

Public Health Relevance

Our project will produce a product that will allow neuroscientists and physiologists to better understand the function of the nervous system, and to perform novel experiments interfacing neural models with biological neurons. By using this system, researchers will be able to develop novel treatments for treating neurological disorders and repairing traumatic neural injury.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
5R44NS057859-03
Application #
7625136
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-L (10))
Program Officer
Gnadt, James W
Project Start
2007-01-15
Project End
2011-04-30
Budget Start
2009-05-01
Budget End
2010-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$511,441
Indirect Cost
Name
Simatra Modeling Technologies, LLC
Department
Type
DUNS #
621490452
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30308
Weinstein, Randall K; Church, Christopher T; Lebsack, Carl S et al. (2009) SIMENGINE: a low-cost, high-performance platform for embedded biophysical simulations. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2009:4238-41