Fusion of real neuron and mathematical model by using dynamic clamp technique

The current clamp and voltage clamp techniques have been mainly used in intracellular recording. A third clamp technique recently receiving attention is the dynamic clamp; this technique enables a real-time interaction between a real neuron and a mathematical model. Here, we review our studies with the dynamic clamp techniques. First, we introduce the dynamic clamp that we recently developed. Next, we show an example of constructing a hybrid network of a real hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuron and a model interneuron. Finally, we describe perturbation experiments for measuring the phase response curve performed on a real hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuron. The dynamic clamp enables us to apply theoretical approaches to physiological experiments.