NeuroExplorer v5.017 for Huge Neural Data Files
July 22, 2015
DALLAS, TEXAS — (July 22, 2015) – Plexon Inc, the leader in advanced hardware and software solutions for neuroscience and behavioral research, 
is pleased to announce NeuroExplorer® v5.017 is now available with significant improvements/additions including enabling maximum benefit when working with and saving neural data files greater than 2 GB and a new “Find Oscillations” analysis. NeuroExplorer is a neurophysiological data analysis package that supports sophisticated analyses and generates professional presentation of the results. It is the undisputed industry gold standard in data analysis programs cited by more than 2,100 scientific publications.
Researchers need and are collecting more data than ever before. Accordingly, those researchers require the ability to analyze, manipulate and save such data in huge files. NeuroExplorer launched its new .NEX5 file format last year to meet the growing data demands of the industry. This most recent release, v5.017, leverages the increased flexibility of the .NEX5 format not only to analyze and save files greater the 2 GB, but also to save unlimited metadata for the whole file and for every file variable in JSON format.
The main structure of the .NEX and .NEX5 file types are the same. The file starts with the file header followed by the variable headers containing data offsets. Binary data arrays are written after all the headers. Metadata that is less often used in analysis, such as recording start time, recording software and electrode location, is stored in a string at the end of the file after all the binary data.
Another important advance in this release includes the “Find Oscillations” analysis which identifies episodes of oscillatory activity in the specified frequency band in recorded analog signals. The algorithm is described in Klausberger, Magill, Marton, Roberts, Cobden, Buzsaki and Somogyi. Brain-state- and cell-type-specific firing of hippocampal interneurons in vivo. Nature, 2003 Feb 20;421(6925):844-8. The user specifies two frequency bands (for example, theta band and delta band). NeuroExplorer finds the segments of LFP signal where the theta to delta frequency power ratio exceeds a certain threshold. The LFP signal is then band-filtered and oscillation cycle start times are identified via the Hilbert transform. This analysis adds several new variables to the data file.
This latest release is available online at no charge for anyone with a NeuroExplorer v5 license key. Additionally, researchers will find supporting files for use with C++ and MATLAB® in the same location. For more information regarding improvements or purchasing/upgrading a license, visit /products/neuroexplorer or contact info@plexon.com.
About Plexon Inc
Plexon is a pioneer and leading innovator of custom, high performance data acquisition, behavior and analysis solutions specifically designed for scientific research. We collaborate with and supply thousands of customers including the most prestigious neuroscience laboratories around the globe driving new frontiers in areas including basic science, brain-machine interfaces (BMI), neurodegenerative diseases, addictive behaviors and neuroprosthetics. Plexon offers integrated solutions for in vivo neurophysiology, optogenetics and behavioral research — backed by its industry-leading commitment to quality and customer support. plexon.com.