Robert L. Rennaker
Assistant Professor Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering Felgar Hall 210 405-325-6536 renn at OU dot edu http://www.coe.ou.edu/ame/faculty/rennaker.htm Ph.D., Bioengineering - Arizona State University, 2002Research:
The Neural Engineering Laboratory at the University of Oklahoma focuses on research toward two major mutually supportive goals:
Neural Interface Development (Neural Prosthetics)
The goal of neural prosthetic research is to develop methods, techniques, and devices to provide a stable and permanent interface with the central nervous system. Cortical recording devices currently used by researchers rarely last more than a few months. The reason for failure is not fully understood. Based on our current understanding of those factors that limit the longevity of neural interfaces, the Neural Engineering Lab at OU is developing the "Micro-Neural Interface" (MNI) system. The MNI system is an array of independent, wirelessly powered probes with on-board signal conditioning circuits, spike detection and wireless communication. The MNI system will allow researchers and clinicians to monitor neural activity within and across multiple structures.
Neural Coding
The Neural Engineering lab investigates how complex stimuli are encoded by auditory and olfactory cortical structures. Using psychophysics and chronic multi-channel neural recording methods, the lab systematically investigates the neural representation of sensory information.
Selected Publications:
Ibrahim, T. S., Abraham, D., & Rennaker, R. L. (2007) Electromagnetic power absorption and temperature changes due to brain machine interface operation. Ann. Biomed. Engineering, 35: 825-834.
Rennaker, R. L., Miller, J., Tang, H., & Wilson, D.A. (2007) Minocycline increases quality and longevity of chronic neural recordings. J. Neural Engineering, 4: L1-L5.
Rennaker, R. L., Carey, H.L., Anderson, S.E., Sloan, A.M., & Kilgard, M.P. (2007) Anesthesia suppresses nonsynchronous responses to repetitive broadband stimuli. Neurosci., 145: 357-369.
Rennaker, R. L., Chen, F., Ruyle, A. M., Sloan, A. M., & Wilson, D.A. (2007) Spatial and temporal distribution of odorant-evoked activity in the piriform cortex. J. Neurosci., 27: 1534-1542.
Anderson, S. E., Kilgard, M. P., Sloan, A. M., & Rennaker, R. L. (2006) Responses to broadband repetitive stimuli in auditory of the unanesthetized rat. Hear. Res., 213: 107-117.
Rennaker, R. L., Ruyle, A. M., Street, S. E., & Sloan, A. M. (2005) A comparison of chronic multi-channel cortical implantation techniques: manual versus mechanical insertion. J. Neurosci. Methods, 142: 169-176.
Rennaker, R. L., Ruyle, A. M., Street, S. E., & Sloan, A. M. (2005) An economical multi-channel cortical electrode array for extended periods of recording during behavior. J. Neurosci. Methods, 142: 97-105.