Statistical Methods and Validation Procedures for Spike Sorting

Spike sorting is the process of converting a recording of the electrical activity generated by neurons firing in the brain, into a representation of the timings for each distinct neuron\u27s firing. This representation of neuronal firings, when paired with data on the subjects\u27 perceptions or actions during the recording, can then be used to map patterns of brain activity to specific stimuli or behaviors. Here we will examine the evolution of mathematical techniques employed to tackle this problem, as well as examine a few of the still open questions