Spatial and temporal analysis of information processing in the ascending tectofugal visual system

Article history:Accepted 13 August 2007Available online 24 August 2007Neuronal response onset latency provides important data on the information processingwithin the central nervous system. In order to enhance the quality of the onset latencyestimation, we have developed a ‘double sliding-window’ technique, which combines theadvantages of mathematical methods with the reliability of standard statistical processes.This method is based on repetitive series of statistical probes between two virtual timewindows. The layout of the significance curve reveals the starting points of changes inneuronal activity in the form of break-points between linear segments. A second-orderdifference function is applied to determine the position of maximum slope change, whichcorresponds to the onset of the response. In comparison with Poisson spike-train analysis,the cumulative sum technique and themethod of Falzett et al., this ‘double sliding-window,technique seems to be a more accurate automated procedure to calculate the responseonset latency of a broad range of neuronal response characteristics.© 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.