Real-time visualization of neural synchrony for identifying coordinated cell assemblies

We introduce a synchrony map that translates the fine temporal organization of multi-unit responses in the visual cortex into an easily interpreted spatial display. We test the synchrony map on microelectrode array recordings in Area 17 of anesthetized and paralyzed cats. We first examine the synchrony map using averaged data and probability calculations to demonstrate orientation-dependent changes in synchrony. We then demonstrate how the synchrony map can be implemented for real-time visualization of synchrony among neural assemblies.