Multichannel Systems MC_Rack Manual - Manual (Page 179)

Data Export
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Spike2 automatically creates templates from raw spike data based on user-defined parameters.
Spike2 can cluster spike data using principle component analysis or user-defined spike waveform
measurements. Clusters can be formed automatically with the K-means algorithm or by cutting
clusters manually using ellipses. 3-D rotation of clusters and replay of activity enables better
viewing of cluster formations.
Spike2 allows to open *.mcd files directly.
5.3.2 General Spike Analysis
Spike2
Spike2 is a commercially available spike analysis program with a graphical user interface
and scripting language from Cambridge Electronic Design Limited (www.ced.co.uk).
Waveform analysis includes averaging, power spectra, waveform discrimination and
measurements of areas, spike sorting and clustering, means, gradients, RMS amplitudes, SD etc,
based on cursor positions or automatic feature detection. Event processing includes INTH, PSTH,
rasters, sorted rasters, filtering options, and event correlations.
Spike2 allows to open .mcd files directly.
NeuroExplorer (NEX)
NeuroExplorer is a commercially available program with a graphical user interface from Nex
Technologies
(www.neuroexplorer.com) for analyzing neurophysiological data. It features
standard histogram, raster, and correlational analyses for both point events (for example spikes,
behavioral events) and continuous variables (e.g. field potentials), joint PSTH, burst analysis and
many more analysis options and functions. It is available from local distributors for MCS products.
5.4 Analyzing Cardiac Signals
5.4.1 Wave Propagation
Exporting spike rates or spike event times to Excel or Origin
For analyzing the contraction rate and spatio-temporal patterns of arrhythmia, the MC_Rack Spike
Sorter and Analyzer are usually sufficient. You can then extract the spike rate or the spike events
directly from the display or with the MC_DataTool and import them into Excel or Origin. Basic
two-dimensional false color plots are also supported by MC_Rack.
MeaTools and Matlab for data recorded from MEAs
For more detailed analysis or graphics, like more advanced false color or delay contour plots,
3-D movies of the propagation, local activation time mappings, or analysis of time delays,
you can use the free MEA Tools.
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Egert from the University of Freiburg, Germany, has designed the MEATools
(www.brainworks.uni-freiburg.de) based on Matlab for analyzing MC_Rack data files recorded
from microelectrode arrays (MEAs). MEATools is available for free and has a graphical user
interface. It is not as easy to use as most commercially available programs, of course. However,
it is especially useful if you have interest in programming Matlab routines yourself. MEATools
is a collection of useful tools for analyzing spikes and field potentials.
MEATools allows to open .mcd files directly. In addition to Matlab version 5.3 or higher, you will
need the MC_Stream.dll and MCStreamMEX.dll files installed on the computer from which you
want to run the MEATools. Both files are delivered with MC_Rack. Please see the documentation
in the MCStreamSupport subfolder of the MC_Rack program folder for more information.