1. An artificial neuron, comprising: an input subcircuit for supplying a pulsed input circuit; a capacitor free leaky integrator subcircuit operable to supply a parasitic capacitance and to utilize the parasitic capacitance to provide differing time constants for the rising and falling edges of an output signal produced in response to the pulsed input signal; and an output switching subcircuit operable upon receipt of a sufficient output signal from the capacitor free leaky integrator subcircuit to switch off the input subcircuit and to release a neuron firing signal.