BME 4900 Final Report - Biomedical Engineering - University of ...

BME 4900 FINAL REPORT 35Team 88 Team Member Contributions8.1 Justin MorseJustin has done much exploratory work, and has found the existing neuronmodels from which the project is being based. His contribution to the documentation isequal to that of the other team members, and has taken part in upkeep of the website.He also modified a FitzHugh-Nagumo model to fire at 1000 Hz, both with and without astimulatory current input, and these are currently being used for axons. Though hisearly work focused on characterizing the dendrite, Ed has taken these reigns and Justinhas become the leader of the work on the synapse, which emerged more recently as animportant issue.His work on the dendrite included developing the scheme to replicate truedendrite behavior using analog circuits, investigating possible circuits for use in thesynapse, and customizing the circuits for use in the project. Further work will involvemore faithfully replicating the results found in GENESIS simulations, combining thesynapse with an axon and dendrite to create one functional neuron.8.2 Dean PoulosMost of Dean Poulos’ early work revolved around the construction of anappropriate axon unit. At first, this entailed heavy research into the previous works ofother academic scholars who have focused on mimicking the physiological behavior ofbasic neurons using analog components. Once a viable model was found, further workpursued regarding the perfection of this behavior and providing readily availablealternatives that could be utilized for the construction of all neural populations in thesystem.This was achieved by weeks of testing and experimentation to further theunderstanding of the workings of these axon units, primarily focusing on how these