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Bypassing spike sorting: Density-based decoding using spike localization from dense multielectrode probes.

ABSTRACT: Neural decoding and its applications to brain computer interfaces (BCI) are essential for understanding the association between neural activity and behavior. A prerequisite for many decoding approaches is spike sorting, the assignment of action potentials (spikes) to individual neurons. Current spike sorting algorithms, however, can be inaccurate and do not properly model uncertainty of spike assignments, therefore discarding information that could potentially improve decoding performance. Recent advances in high-density probes (e.g., Neuropixels) and computational methods now allow for extracting a rich set of spike features from unsorted data; these features can in turn be used to directly decode behavioral correlates. To this end, we propose a spike sorting-free decoding method that directly models the distribution of extracted spike features using a mixture of Gaussians (MoG) encoding the uncertainty of spike assignments, without aiming to solve the spike clustering problem explicitly. We allow the mixing proportion of the MoG to change over time in response to the behavior and develop variational inference methods to fit the resulting model and to perform decoding. We benchmark our method with an extensive suite of recordings from different animals and probe geometries, demonstrating that our proposed decoder can consistently outperform current methods based on thresholding (i.e. multi-unit activity) and spike sorting. Open source code is available at https://github.com/yzhang511/density_decoding.

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10542538 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Bypassing spike sorting: Density-based decoding using spike localization from dense multielectrode probes.

Zhang Yizi Y He Tianxiao T Boussard Julien J Windolf Charlie C Winter Olivier O Trautmann Eric E Roth Noam N Barrell Hailey H Churchland Mark M Steinmetz Nicholas A NA Varol Erdem E Hurwitz Cole C Paninski Liam L

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology 20230922

Neural decoding and its applications to brain computer interfaces (BCI) are essential for understanding the association between neural activity and behavior. A prerequisite for many decoding approaches is <i>spike sorting</i>, the assignment of action potentials (spikes) to individual neurons. Current spike sorting algorithms, however, can be inaccurate and do not properly model uncertainty of spike assignments, therefore discarding information that could potentially improve decoding performance ...[more]

PMID: 37790422

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Project description:High-density microelectrode arrays can be used to record extracellular action potentials from hundreds to thousands of neurons simultaneously. Efficient spike sorters must be developed to cope with such large data volumes. Most existing spike sorting methods for single electrodes or small multielectrodes, however, suffer from the "curse of dimensionality" and cannot be directly applied to recordings with hundreds of electrodes. This holds particularly true for the standard reference spike sorting algorithm, principal component analysis-based feature extraction, followed by k-means or expectation maximization clustering, against which most spike sorters are evaluated. We present a spike sorting algorithm that circumvents the dimensionality problem by sorting local groups of electrodes independently with classical spike sorting approaches. It is scalable to any number of recording electrodes and well suited for parallel computing. The combination of data prewhitening before the principal component analysis-based extraction and a parameter-free clustering algorithm obviated the need for parameter adjustments. We evaluated its performance using surrogate data in which we systematically varied spike amplitudes and spike rates and that were generated by inserting template spikes into the voltage traces of real recordings. In a direct comparison, our algorithm could compete with existing state-of-the-art spike sorters in terms of sensitivity and precision, while parameter adjustment or manual cluster curation was not required. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We present an automatic spike sorting algorithm that combines three strategies to scale classical spike sorting techniques for high-density microelectrode arrays: 1) splitting the recording electrodes into small groups and sorting them independently; 2) clustering a subset of spikes and classifying the rest to limit computation time; and 3) prewhitening the spike waveforms to enable the use of parameter-free clustering. Finally, we combined these strategies into an automatic spike sorter that is competitive with state-of-the-art spike sorters.

Project description:Goal: To identify copy number variation in normal individuals using high density, non-polymorphic oligonucleotide probes Background DNA sequence diversity within the human genome may be more greatly affected by copy number variations (CNVs) than single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Although the importance of CNVs in genome wide association studies (GWAS) is becoming widely accepted, the optimal methods for identifying these variants are still under evaluation. We have previously reported a comprehensive view of CNVs in the HapMap DNA collection using high density 500K EA (Early Access) SNP genotyping arrays which revealed greater than 1,000 CNVs ranging in size from 1kb to over 3Mb. Although the arrays used most commonly for GWAS predominantly interrogate SNPs, CNV identification and detection does not necessarily require the use of DNA probes centered on polymorphic nucleotides and may even be hindered by the dependence on a successful SNP genotyping assay. Results In this study, we have designed and evaluated a high density array predicated on the use of non-polymorphic oligonucleotide probes for CNV detection. This approach effectively uncouples copy number detection from SNP genotyping and thus has the potential to significantly improve probe coverage for genome-wide CNV identification. This array, in conjunction with PCR-based, complexity-reduced DNA target, queries over 1.3M independent NspI restriction enzyme fragments in the 200bp to 1100bp size range, which is a several fold increase in marker density as compared to the 500K EA array. In addition, a novel algorithm was developed and validated to extract CNV regions and boundaries. Conclusions Using a well-characterized pair of DNA samples, close to 200 CNVs were identified, of which nearly 50% appear novel yet were independently validated using quantitative PCR. The results indicate that non-polymorphic probes provide a robust approach for CNV identification, and the increasing precision of CNV boundary delineation should allow a more complete analysis of their genomic organization. Keywords: Copy number variation (CNV) detection

Dataset Information

Bypassing spike sorting: Density-based decoding using spike localization from dense multielectrode probes.

Publications

Bypassing spike sorting: Density-based decoding using spike localization from dense multielectrode probes.

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