Although there are many open source neuroscience tools and libraries for analysis of neural signals alone, they often have steep learning curves and require that users program their own scripts. Although some commercial data acquisition systems may provide this functionality using proprietary hardware, software, and data formats, and although specialized tools exist for separately analyzing signals or behavioral videos using licensed analysis programs like MATLAB ( ), there are few free and open-source software tools with the capability to synchronize video and neural signals. In behavioral neuroscience, to interpret data after it is collected, it is essential that behavioral video be synchronized with electrophysiology. This new program could be used in many applications in which behavior and signals need to be analyzed together. Algorithms for spike detection and burst detection are demonstrated. The configuration specification for controlling how data are located, loaded, processed, and plotted is also summarized. Two examples are shown in which the software is used to explore experimental datasets with extracellular nerve or muscle recordings and simultaneous video of behavior. The program also facilitates collaborations by using a portable specification for loading and processing data and retrieving data files from online sources. A new program, called neurotic (NEUROscience Tool for Interactive Characterization), allows users to review and annotate signal data synchronized with video, performs simple initial analyses including signal filtering and spike detection, is easy to use, and supports a variety of file formats. A software tool for synchronization of video with signals would be of broad general use to behavioral neuroscientists.
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