Control of bursting activity with an intrinsic current in a hybrid half-center oscillator

We have constructed a hybrid half-center oscillator by replacing a neuron from a natural half-center in the medicinal leech with a real-time model neuron. This hybrid network produces rhythmic antiphasic oscillations remarkably similar to those seen in the natural network. By changing the strength of the hyperpolarization-activated inward current in both the model and living neuron, we demonstrate how this current can be used to regulate both period and duty cycle of oscillations. In addition, similar changes are made to the living neuron by introducing an artificial h-current through dynamic clamp. The similarity of these results demonstrate that the silicon neuron is an effective replacement for a living neuron in the half-center, and that changes made to the silicon neuron can adequately describe the effects of similar changes made in the living neuron.