SAPID TOOLS - MICROCOMPUTER PROGRAMS FOR ANALYSIS OF MULTIUNIT NERVE RECORDINGS

A set of programs is described for the digitization and analysis of electrophysiological recordings in which the nerve impulses from several different cells may be present. Although they were designed for analysis of data from insect taste sensilla, they may be applicable to other multi-unit preparations, and are available free from the authors. The programs run on standard MS-DOS compatible microcomputers, using a readily available analog-to-digital plug-in board. They are 'modular', and break the analysis into several stages, each of which may be applied to many related files of data in a 'batch' mode. Program design stresses the involvement of the user in decisions as to the effectiveness and accuracy of the analysis as it proceeds, as well as ease and efficiency of use. The programs use many graphics screens in color, and are controlled by keyboard- or mouse-operated menus; however, they can also be controlled by command-line parameters for standard or repetitive input. © 1990 Oxford University Press.