: Results of spike sorting algorithms are usually compared against recorded signals which themselves underly interpretations, distortions and errors. Our approach is to provide and compare physiological extracellular potential data by a realistic cortical network simulation. For this purpose, we utilize the neural simulator GENESIS and simulate a region of cortex containing 90 cells. We are able to "record" simulated extracellular potentials from "virtual electrodes" and produce test data closely resembling multisite neuronal recordings. Our realisitic, artificial data is complex and almost natural in appearance, however current spike detection schemes appear unable to reliably detect all spikes produced.
Kerstin M. L. Menne, Andre Folkers, Thomas Malina,