Abstract
The large diversity of neuron types of the brain, with numerous unique electrophysiological characteristics, provides the means by which cortical circuits perform complex operations. To quantify, compare and visualize the functional features of single neurons, we have developed a MATLAB-based framework, CellExplorer, consisting of three components: a processing module for extracting and calculating physiological metrics, a standardized yet flexible data structure, and a powerful graphical interface for fast manual curation and feature exploration. This data mining and discovery tool allows for inspection of dozens of computed features of neurons from large-scale recordings and relate them to those of other neurons in any combination at the speed of mouse clicks. The open source design of the CellExplorer permits the optimization of its functions tested against an ever-growing community-contributed database. CellExplorer will accelerate linking physiological properties of single neurons in the intact brain to genetically identified types.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.