Analysis of single and multiple neuronal discharges as point processes: a computer program set

The analysis of single or multiple neuron discharges as point processes has gained considerable importance for understanding the principles of information coding and processing in the central nervous system (CNS). Here, a set of programs written in BASIC language for microcomputers is described for the point process analysis of discharges of individual or multiple simultaneously recorded neurons as well as the mathematical basis of the methods implemented in these programs. The input data consist of one or more ASCII files with the spike or stimulus occurrence times generated by the spike sorting system used. Interspike interval histogram, autocorrelogram, autospectrum, cross-correlogram, joint impulse configuration scatter diagram, poststimulus time histogram and joint peristimulus time scatter diagram, together with other more conventional methods, are included in this package which provides graphical or alpha numeric results which can be printed or stored on disk for additional graphical or statistical analysis.