Neural vs Neuromorphic Interfaces: Where Are We Standing?

Chemical Reviews, vol. 125, pp. 9092–9139

Abstract

Neuromorphic interfaces represent a transformative frontier in neural engineering, enabling seamless communication between the nervous system and external devices through biologically inspired computing architectures. These systems offer promising avenues for diagnosing and treating neurological disorders by emulating the brain's computational strategies. Neural devices, including sensors and stimulators, monitor or modulate neural activity, playing a pivotal role in deciphering brain function and neuropathologies. Yet, clinical translation remains limited due to persistent challenges such as foreign body responses, low signal-to-noise ratios, and constraints in real-time data processing. Recent breakthroughs in neuromorphic hardware, neural recording, and stimulation technologies are addressing these challenges, paving the way for more adaptive and efficient brain-machine interfaces and neuroprosthetics. This review highlights the emerging class of neurohybrid interfaces, where neuromorphic systems might be integrated to enhance bidirectional neural communication. It emphasizes novel material strategies engineered for seamless neural interfacing and their incorporation into advanced neuromorphic chip architectures capable of real-time signal processing and closed-loop feedback. Furthermore, this review explores cutting-edge neuromorphic biointerfaces and evaluates the technological, biological, and ethical challenges involved in their clinical deployment. By bridging materials science, neuroscience, and neuromorphic engineering, these systems hold the potential to redefine the landscape of neurotechnology.

Authors 12

1. Daniela Rana Aachen

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Biological Information Processing-Bioelectronics, IBI-3 Forschungszentrum Juelich, 52428, Germany

   Neuroelectronic Interfaces, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and IT

   RWTH Aachen

2. Natalia Babushkina

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Biological Information Processing-Bioelectronics, IBI-3 Forschungszentrum Juelich, 52428, Germany

3. Martina Gini Aachen

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Biological Information Processing-Bioelectronics, IBI-3 Forschungszentrum Juelich, 52428, Germany

   Neuroelectronic Interfaces, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and IT

   RWTH Aachen

4. A. Cáceres Aachen

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Biological Information Processing-Bioelectronics, IBI-3 Forschungszentrum Juelich, 52428, Germany

   Neuroelectronic Interfaces, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and IT

   RWTH Aachen

5. Vanessa Maybeck

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Biological Information Processing-Bioelectronics, IBI-3 Forschungszentrum Juelich, 52428, Germany

6. Valeria Criscuolo Aachen

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Biological Information Processing-Bioelectronics, IBI-3 Forschungszentrum Juelich, 52428, Germany

   Neuroelectronic Interfaces, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and IT

   RWTH Aachen

7. Dirk Mayer

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Biological Information Processing-Bioelectronics, IBI-3 Forschungszentrum Juelich, 52428, Germany

8. Marcello Ienca

   Technical University of Munich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for History and Ethics of Medicine, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ismaniger Str. 22, Munich 81675, Germany

9. Simon Musall

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Biological Information Processing-Bioelectronics, IBI-3 Forschungszentrum Juelich, 52428, Germany

10. Viviana Rincón Montes

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute for Biological Information Processing-Bioelectronics, IBI-3 Forschungszentrum Juelich, 52428, Germany

11. Andreas Offenhäusser

    Forschungszentrum Jülich

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute for Biological Information Processing-Bioelectronics, IBI-3 Forschungszentrum Juelich, 52428, Germany

12. Francesca Santoro corresponding Aachen

    Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute for Biological Information Processing-Bioelectronics, IBI-3 Forschungszentrum Juelich, 52428, Germany

    Neuroelectronic Interfaces, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and IT

    RWTH Aachen