Multi-channel spike detection and sorting using an array processing technique

In many brain regions, high levels of background activity can obscure actio n potentials of neurons close to a recording electrode, particularly in the presence of a stimulus. As recorded on a multi-channel electrode array, th is neural noise appears to be highly correlated among the channels. We have developed an array processing technique to remove the correlated component of noise, improving the signal-to-noise ratio. In addition, we show that t he weighting vector of the array algorithm can be manipulated to facilitate sorting of the action potentials. An example of the technique applied to t he guinea pig cochlear nucleus is shown. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.