OPETH

OPETH provides real-time peri-event time histogram visualization and analysis of neuronal spike data to align action potentials and evoked waveforms with external digital events during electrophysiology experiments.

Key Features:

• Real-Time Visualization: Generates real-time peri-event time histograms and plots of spike times and evoked waveforms aligned to external events.
• Integration with Open Ephys: Integrates with the Open Ephys data acquisition system for receipt of recorded signals and event triggers.
• Python Interface: Implements a Python interface for plotting and handling spike times, evoked waveforms, and digital logic signals.
• Optogenetics and Behavioral Support: Supports experiments involving photostimulation and behaviorally relevant events to link neuronal responses to external manipulations or behaviors.
• Targeted Neuron Identification: Facilitates online identification of genetically defined or behaviorally responsive neuron populations by aligning spikes to external events.

Scientific Applications:

• In Vivo Electrophysiology: Provides immediate alignment of neuronal responses to external events to aid interpretation during in vivo recordings.
• Optogenetic Experiments: Identifies neuron types based on responses to photostimulation by aligning spike activity to light-evoked events.
• Behavioral Neurophysiology: Correlates neuronal activity with behaviorally relevant events to study neural correlates of behavior.

Methodology:

Processes raw data exported via ZeroMQ from Open Ephys, uses Open Ephys triggers for histogram display, detects spikes and aligns them around external digital logic signals, and performs real-time plotting via a Python interface.