Spike detection and sorting with deep learning.

Objective: The extraction and identification of single-unit activities in intracortically recorded electric signals have a key role in basic neuroscience, but also in applied fields, like in the development of high-accuracy brain-computer interfaces. The purpose of this paper is to present our current results on the detection, classification and prediction of neural activities based on multichannel action potential recordings.

Approach: Throughout our investigations, a deep learning approach utilizing convolutional neural networks and a combination of recurrent and convolutional neural networks was applied, with the latter used in case of spike detection and the former used for cases of sorting and predicting spiking activities.

Main Results: In our experience, the algorithms applied prove to be useful in accomplishing the tasks mentioned above: our detector could reach an average recall of 69%, while we achieved an average accuracy of 89% in classifying activities produced by more than 20 distinct neurons.

Significance: Our findings support the concept of creating real-time, high-accuracy action potential based BCIs in the future, providing a flexible and robust algorithmic background for further development.