A pulse height discriminator and post-stimulus histogram system using integrated circuits

Abstract

Integrated circuits can be used to construct a compact, relatively inexpensive device which performs the functions of spike amplitude discrimination and digital post-stimulus histogram generation. The logic diagram, detailed schematic, and tnode of operation of such a system is presented and discussed.

Somatosensory function and cortical unit activity in cats with only dorsal column fibers

“…The signals were amplified and displayed on a CRO and an audio monitor. In addition, the signal could be sent to an averaging instrument (Mnenotron CAT 400) and to a spike height discriminator and post-stimulus histogram system which could also be used as a counter (Spears et al, 1970). Shocks were delivered 1/sec through bipolar needles inserted in the footpads.…”

Rewarding and aversive brain stimulation opposite effects on medial thalamic units

“…Most units were negative in polarity and had spike durations of approximately I msec, suggesting that the recordings were from nearby cell bodies rather than axons. Unit responses to successive stimulus pulses in either 7 or 20 Hz stimulus trains were quantified by a poststimulus histogram generator [18] control firing rates between different stimulation treatments were excluded from the analysis. A unit response was defined as a statistically significant (X 2 , p<0.05) difference in firing rate between the poststimulus and control periods.…”