Dynamic Clamp Download Page

The Dynamic Clamp protocol, developed by Sharp et. al. (J. Neurophysiol. 69, 992-995, 1993) allows "insertion" of simulated membrane conductances in, and/or simulated synapses between biological neurons. Until now, the protocol has been applied simultaneously, at most, 2 neurons. Also, most commercial ADC/DAC boards (eg. Axon Instruments Digidata 1200/1300 series) possess only two analog outputs. We wrote the program DYNCLAMP4, a method for controlling up to 4 neurons in real time, dynamic clamp mode.

The PC-based software permits up to 8 (or more) Hodgkin-Huxley conductances and up to 18 synaptic connections (chemical, non-rectifier electrical and rectifier electrical). An auxiliary electronic circuit splits the usual 2 analog outputs to 4 analog command signals.

We used a ADC/DAC DIGIDATA 1200A board from Axon Instruments, Inc., and using the auxiliary sample and hold circuit split the two analog outputs of the ADC/DAC board into four outputs we connected up to four neurons using the DYNCLAMP4. The program was written in C++ and runs in a Pentium III 450 MHz under Windows NT 4.0 but the program is also compatible with Windows 95/98/2000. The minimum update rate of the current using 4 neurons is of 5 kHz. A version for two neurons (DYNCLAMP2) which does not need auxiliary circuitry runs at 10 kHz.

Copyright 2000, R.D.Pinto, R.C.Elson, A. Szücs, M.I.Rabinovich, A.I.Selverston, and H.D.I.Abarbanel.
Copyright 2000, The Regents of the University of California.
All Rights Reserved.

Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute any part of this DYNCLAMP2 or DYNCLAMP4 for educational, research, and non-profit purposes, without fee, and without a written agreement is hereby granted, provided that the above copyright notice, this paragraph and the following three paragraphs appear in all copies.

Those desiring to incorporate this DYNCLAMP2 or DYNCLAMP4 into commercial products or use for commercial purposes should contact Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property Services, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0910, La Jolla, CA 92093-0910, Phone: (858) 534-5815, FAX: (858) 534-7345.

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA OR THE AUTHORS BE LIABLE TO ANY PARTY FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOST PROFITS, CLAIMS OR DEMANDS, OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THIS DYNCLAMP2 OR DYNCLAMP4, EVEN IF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA OR THE AUTHORS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

THE DYNCLAMP2 AND DYNCLAMP4 PROVIDED HEREIN ARE ON AN "AS IS" BASIS, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AND THE AUTHORS HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT, UPDATES, ENHANCEMENTS, OR MODIFICATIONS. THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AND THE AUTHORS MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS AND EXTENDS NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER IMPLIED OR EXPRESS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR THAT THE USE OF THE DYNCLAMP2 OR DYNCLAMP4 WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY PATENT, TRADEMARK OR OTHER RIGHTS.

If you agree to the disclaimer above, download the free software here:DynClamp.zip.