Neural Engineering

16.3. A Comprehensive Definition Of Neural Engineering

Many associate the term neural engineering only with neuroprosthetics. It certainly is a major but not the only component of the Neural Engineering field. A tautological definition of Neural Engineering could either be “the application of engineering principles to the study and restoration of nervous system function” or “mimicking the nervous system's form and function to engineer devices, techniques and concepts”. The first goes from engineering to the neurosciences; and the second reverses the path of discovery and innovation. But, a definition of neural engineering expanded from that of Robinson (2000a) reflects the fact that neural engineering most often uses both paths simultaneously!

Neural Engineering is the highly interdisciplinary marriage of the neuro-scientific disciplines and those of engineering and computer science that aims to better understand and to mimic the functioning and dysfunctioning of the nervous system and to engineer appropriate augmentation and/or substitution for dysfunctioning parts of the nervous system.

As illustrated in Figure 1, Neural Engineering brings an impressively wide range of engineering and basic science disciplines together with an equally broad range of biological and medical sciences. It links basic and applied engineering and science R&D with basic and applied neuroscience. Rather than talk just about simple interfaces, the products of the neural engineering endeavor can be considered as wide streets or lanes through which information flows. These new lanes emphasize a systems approach to neural engineering development, where considerations include biocompatibility; implantability; the integrated nature of the electronics and transducers; real-time command, control, communication; multi-modalities; among many others.

Figure 1.

Neural engineering marries engineering practice and neuroscience knowledge. ©2011, Robinson C.J. Used with permission.