A simple method for efficient spike detection in multiunit recordings

A number of spike detection and sorting methods exist and the availability of powerful desktop computers may suggest that the problem of spike detection is solved. However, for portable multi-channel systems, when one takes into account the power consumption limitations, computationally simple methods can be advantageous when compared to more complex algorithms. Here we describe a simple spike detection method that reduces approximately two-fold the rate of false detections compared to the single threshold spike detection method. The proposed algorithm can be employed in an analog electronic chip thus eliminating the need for the digitization of the original signal. Consequently, only the times of spike occurrence can be transmitted for further analysis.