Comment Some details from the paper (Score 2) 129
I think the same thing could be achieved with just an RC filter. If I'm following this correctly, the difference here is a "demonstrated variation in synaptic strength, a key neural mechanism associated with memory and learning." Things will really start to get interesting when something like this circuit can be made that is also capable of amplification. That would be a complete artificial neuron.
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=5754178