Spikes and Nets (S&N): A New Fast, Parallel Computing, Point Process Software for Multineuronal Discharge and Connectivity Analysis

Abstract

SN however, the aim of this work was to develop an easy to use, fast, short learning curve, multi-platform and parallel computing software able to manage a large number of neuronal spike train files to detect discharge patterns, connectivity, and time-dependent changes. A set of the most used spike train methods to perform single and multi-neuronal discharge pattern recognition and functional connectivity analysis were implemented in an easy-to-use, standalone, Matlab-based software toolbox: spikes and nets (S&N). The methods included for single and multi-neuronal discharge pattern analysis are raster plot, interspike intervals distribution, multiparametric burst, auto-correlation, auto-spectral, fractal, poincare, and phases. For functional connectivity analysis, cross-correlation and joint interval scatter diagram were implemented. Additionally, time segmentation analysis is available to detect temporal changes for all methods. S&N efficiently handles large numbers of neuronal discharge files at once with fast and automatic archiving of both analytical and graphical results which makes it suitable for multi-electrode array data. S&N applies up to 11 different analytical methods, including automatic file segmentation for time-dependent changes detection, and generates publication quality graphs. The developed toolbox is multi-platform and reads universal spike train files with any temporal resolution, able to process also ECG, EEG or similar data files.