Characterizing in vitro hippocampal ripples using time-frequency analysis

We analyze in vitro hippocampal activity exhibiting drug induced ripple-like rhythms using time-frequency distributions. The different tradeoffs between time-frequency resolution, interference, and range are examined with reference to the suitability of each for use in analyzing ripple data. An unbiased approach is taken to characterizing ripple rhythms uniquely by determining the parameter choices in which its behaviour is most distinct from baseline activity. Mixture distribution analysis of the two components generated from correlating frequency behaviour allows a clear method for determining the distinctiveness of ripple-like rhythms given a particular parameter choice.