Spike2 is the data acquisition system of choice for thousands of researchers worldwide. Whether you require simple data capture or a complete package for experiment control, recording and analysis, Spike2 has many advantages over other data acquisition systems.
Spike2 includes recording and analysis features suitable for a wide range of research applications. You do not need to purchase add-on modules for specific tasks.
Spike2 has the power and flexibility for demanding applications, for which you would expect to require more specialised equipment, for example extracellular multi-electrode recording and complex stimulus timing and delivery.
Spike2 has the sampling and analysis features most researchers need. There is also a built-in script language which provides flexibility far beyond that available from many alternative products, allowing automation of repetitive tasks and providing many additional tools for researchers who prefer to write their own applications.
Spike2 can import data recorded by many other systems, so that you can take advantage of this extremely versatile software to analyse existing data.
Spike2 can export data to spreadsheet, text, binary and Matlab files.
The powerful data capture and time-saving analysis functions of Spike2 together with one of the CED 1401 family of laboratory interfaces make an extremely valuable and cost-effective addition to any laboratory.
Features
Navigate through your data quickly and simply using the intuitive user interface; zoom and scroll with the mouse or keyboard
Record multiple data types, including waveforms, event times, coded markers, and discriminated single or multi-unit spike data in real-time
Generate simple and complex protocols of waveform and pulse outputs
Detect features manually or automatically and take measurements based on triggered and cyclical data
Analyse multiple channels of waveform and event data on-line and off-line
Process data with functions including: filtering, rectification, interpolation and inter-channel arithmetic
Display and export images as you want them, with versatile display options including: triggered update with optional overdraw and 3D display and duplicated windows with independent display settings
Record very large numbers of channels by synchronising multiple CED 1401s to a master 1401 unit
Customise the program with the built-in script language that provides control from simple automation to addition of complex analysis functions
Replay data files, with simultaneous output of waveform data through 1401 DACs or computer sound card
ECG recording with automated detection of R wave peaks and BP features, and plotting of mean BP
Multi-channel on-line spike discrimination with 'spike monitor' display
Automated measurement of population spike amplitude and latency with 3D overdraw display
Acquisition using a CED1401
Set different waveform sample rates per channel
Record large data files, up to 1TB
Capture and classify single and multi-unit spike activity in real-time
Continuous, internally timed and triggered recording modes
Record multimedia video and sound, time-locked to Spike2 data
Store up to 8 channels of event data with microsecond timing resolution
Log accurately timed coded 8-bit digital inputs
Annotate data records with text notes and keyboard markers
Swap between experiment setups quickly with a single mouse click
Calibrate waveforms with multiple methods including values, areas, slopes
Automatically save and sequence multiple files with optional trigger start
Recover data files in the event of an un-commanded system shutdown
Configure dynamically programmable amplifiers including the CED1902 low-noise isolated pre-amplifier
Channel setup in sampling configuration
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. 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 also has access to the incoming waveform and event data in real-time, enabling very fast response to changes in waveform levels and detection of events.
Setup of waveform and digital outputs using the graphical sequence editor
Spike detection and sorting
Spike2 identifies and sorts single and multi-unit activity both on-line 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.
For multi-unit recordings, Spike2 contains tools for sorting spikes based on the spike waveform shape. All events crossing a threshold are captured. 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 simply drawing a line through overdrawn spikes and classifying any which intersect the line. 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. 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
Display
Review multiple files simultaneously, even when sampling
Navigate through data files with simple mouse pan and zoom, axis dragging, scroll bar and keyboard control
Display events, spikes and markers as times, rates, mean and instantaneous frequencies; discriminated spikes can be overdrawn
Use duplicated channels to display data in different ways and show selected markers and discriminated spikes separately for cross analysis
Overlay multiple triggered 'sweeps' with optional 3D display
Draw waveforms with optional linear and cubic spline interpolation or as sonograms with preset and user-defined colour scales
Draw marker type data in State mode for condition marking. Textmark (text note) channels can also display stored text in the channel area
Vertical marker option extending down entire data view
Set independent colours for each channel's data and background
Arrange vertical space and order of channels displayed, including option to overlay multiple channels
Logarithmic axes display option for result and XY views
Expand your display area with built-in multiple monitor support
Frequency analysis showing waveform sonogram display and calculated power spectrum with log axes
Processing and analysis
Waveform analyses including averaging, power spectra and waveform correlations
Event analyses including INTH, PSTH, auto and cross correlations and phase histograms
Automatically find data features including triggers and features in evoked, spontaneous activity and cyclical data with 'active' cursors
Generate XY plots and measurement channels in data files and output tables of values based on cursor feature detection
Take absolute and relative measurements of positions, data values and inter-cursor statistical measurements with up to 10 active cursors per view
Quickly take time and amplitude measurements by simply dragging the mouse pointer
Derive 'virtual channels' from existing waveform and event channels defined by user-supplied expressions (channel arithmetic). Options include mathematical functions and comparison operators
Generate functions in virtual channels', including sine, square, triangle waves, envelopes and polynomials
Process waveforms dynamically on- and off-line. Processes include rectify, smooth, DC remove, downsample, median filter and RMS amplitude
Create editable temporary channels containing copied or derived data
Digitally filter waveforms (FIR and IIR) with interactive filter design
Interactively fit data with functions including exponential, Gaussian, polynomial, sinusoid and sigmoid
Automate repetitive, multi-step and custom analyses using the script language
Interactive IIR notch filter applied to reduce mains artefact
From complete beginners to experienced programmers, anybody can benefit from the built-in Spike2 script language. Even 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's features but also allows you to generate your own interface and design algorithms. There is a simple macro recording facility to provide 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 collection of scripts for a wide range of common and specialised applications. If these and the scripts included with the Spike2 software do not meet your needs, contact us to discuss your requirements.
Scripted sleep stage scoring and analysis
Spike2 version 7
We have tried very hard to keep version 7 of Spike2 compatible with version 6. It reads
data files from all previous versions. Resource files are mostly compatible; some resource
formats have changed to support new features. Scripts that ran with version 6 should
work unchanged with version 7.
New version 7 features include:
Data file size can optionally extend to 1 TB (was 2 GB). This is a file format change
and such files will be read-only in version 6 and unreadable by previous versions.
There is a new version of the SonFix application that knows about big files.
When exporting you can choose to use big file format or the previous format with a 2
GB size limit.
You can draw event and marker data as Vertical Markers over all the channels to
mark points of interest. You can use these as fixed vertical cursors.
TextMark data can be drawn as Vertical Markers with the text displayed vertically.
When you open a big file, jumping into the middle of the file is much faster.
The output sequencer has been updated to support sequences of up to 8192
instructions (was 1023) and can now use up to 256 variables (was 64).
The output sequencer now supports setting constant values and you can now
#include files into the output sequencer.
The output sequencer has new instructions and enhancements to the text displayed
during sampling.
You can change to a different output sequence whilst sampling data.
The current sampling configuration can be copied to the clipboard or Log.
The sampling configuration dialog is now resizable to cope with long channel lists.
The Sample Status bar now displays the percentage sample time and disk space
remaining before sampling will stop.
The script language can now resize arrays.
You can break out of script loops with the break and continue keywords.
You can initialise variables in var statements with non-constant expressions.
Text views can have line numbers and you can limit the number of lines in a view.
The new LinPred() script command can be used to predict data.
Virtual channels now support comparison operators and Min() and Max() functions.
Spike2 user training days
System requirements
Spike2 version 7 requires a CED Power1401, a Micro1401 or a 1401plus intelligent laboratory interface and a PC with Windows NT 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 or an Intel Macintosh running Windows. We recommend that the PC has a minimum of 2GB RAM.
