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Spike 2

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Data Acquisition & Analysis Software - Version 10 (CED)
CED   Spike 2  Data Acquisition & Analysis Software
Description

Spike2 is a multi-channel continuous data acquisition and analysis package. Uses range from a simple chart recorder to complex applications requiring stimulus generation, data capture, scrolling or triggered displays, control of external equipment and custom analysis. This flexibility makes it ideal for applications in many fields including electrophysiology, neurophysiology, cardiovascular and respiratory studies, sports science and pharmacology.

These powerful data capture and analysis functions, together with one of the CED1401 family of laboratory interfaces, make Spike2 an extremely flexible, cost-effective and time-saving addition to any laboratory.


Heart rate and blood pressure variability analysis including Poincaré plot with fitted ellipse

 

 

Spike monitor
Multi-channel on-line spike discrimination with 'spike monitor' display

 

 

Features

 


Script driven detection and classification of seizure activity in EEG

 

Data Acquisition


Spike2 sampling configuration dialog

 

Software Demo

Annotating data with Textmarks
This video tutorial demonstrates how to use TextMarks to annotate a data file.

 

Experiment control and stimulus sequencing

The Spike2 output sequencer can run complex experiment control and stimulus sequencing protocols during data capture using up to 16 TTL and 8 waveform outputs. Timing is precise as it is controlled at the CED 1401 interface, not the host computer.

Output protocols can be set up in two ways. A graphical editor provides all the functionality most users require, allowing creation of multiple sets of pulse outputs including square pulses, sine waves, ramps, pre-recorded and user-defined waveforms:

Graphical sequence editor
This video tutorial gives an introduction to the graphical editor (a user-friendly interface for the built-in output sequencer), and how to use it to setup a range of outputs for use during sampling.

For more demanding applications, a text editor is available in which you can edit the sequencer steps directly. This makes it possible to control the sequence interactively through the script language by use of variables and tables.

The sequencer can access the incoming waveform and event data in real-time, enabling very fast response to changes in waveform levels and detection of events.

 


Spike2 graphical sequence editor showing different outputs and additional control options

 

Spike detection and sorting

Spike2 identifies and sorts single and multi-unit activity both on- and off-line. It can mark events using simple threshold crossings or sort up to 32 channels on-line with whole wave spike shape template matching of single trace and n-trode data.

Parameters for forming spike templates
This video tutorial demonstrates how to use the Template Parameters dialog to define how spike templates are formed and how incoming spikes are matched to templates.

For multi-unit recordings, Spike2 contains tools for sorting spikes based on the spike waveform shape. All events crossing a threshold are captured.

Setting threshold triggers for spike sorting
This video tutorial demonstrates the 'do 's ' and 'dont 's ' of setting up threshold triggers for spike sorting. When setting up a new WaveMark channel, the two default horizontal cursors in the spike shape 'oscilloscope ' window are used to set the positive and negative trigger levels for spike detection.

A combination of template matching and cluster cutting based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA), user-defined measurements correlations or errors is then used to sort spikes into different units. Spikes can also be sorted interactively by dragging a line through overdrawn spikes and classifying any which intersect. Spike Collision Analysis can separate unit collisions by comparing the current spike shape with pairs of existing templates.

Cluster cutting methods plot measured values into a 3D view that can be rotated and replayed to show the occurrence of the spikes through time. Clusters are formed by automatic algorithms or manually by placing ellipses or drawing polygons. Interactive features include INTHs for current cluster classes, tracking over time, and selection of an individual spike by clicking on its dot in the cluster.

 


Multi-unit spike discrimination using PCA clustering

 


Spike data draw modes

 

 

Display

WaveMark Drawmodes
This video tutorial demonstrates the various display modes for WaveMark data, allowing to display Spike2 data in a number of different ways.
Annotating data with Textmarks
This video tutorial demonstrates how to use TextMarks to annotate a data file.

 


Response of insect auditory receptor to pure tone stimuli and calling song

 

 

Analysis

Active Cursors and Blood pressure measurements
This video tutorial shows how to generate heart rate from a blood pressure trace using the Spike2 built-in active cursor and measurement functions, which allow on-line and off-line detection of waveform features and marking these in a new channel in the data file.
Removing mains hum from data (HumRemove)
This video tutorial shows how to use the script to remove complex mains hum using the HumRemoveExpress.s2 script.

 

 

Script language

Anyone, from complete beginners to experienced programmers, can benefit from the built-in Spike2 script language. Simple automation of repetitive tasks with known parameters can save hours or even days of tedious analysis. Advanced applications include complete experiment control with on-line application of original algorithms to sampled data in real-time.

The script language not only links Spike2 features but also allows you to generate your own interfaces and design algorithms. A simple macro recording facility provides a starting point for new scripts. The script language also includes data manipulation tools such as multi-dimensional arrays and matrix functions.

CED maintains a library of scripts for a wide range of common and specialised applications. If the scripts included with the Spike2 software or those available from our web site do not meet your needs, please contact us to discuss the available options. These include modification of existing scripts as well as a dedicated script-writing service.

 


Scripted sleep stage scoring and analysis

 

System requirements

Spike2 version 10 requires a CED Power1401, a Micro1401-4, a Micro1401-3, or Micro1401Mk II PC and a Windows 7, 8, 10, or Intel Macintosh running Windows. The computer must be modern enough to support the SSE2 instruction set. We recommend that the PC has a minimum of 8 GB RAM and runs Windows 10.

Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Spike2 are supplied: either version of the software can be used on systems running a 64-bit OS. The 64-bit version provides a performance increase and access to more memory.


The Micro1401-4 and Power1401-3

 

 

Also see:

CED Software

CED Software

i. e. Signal

Power or Micro?

How to choose
between a Micro1401
and a Power1401

CED Talkers

CED Talkers
and the
Talker Interface Box