Nonlinear analysis of biological systems using short M-sequences and sparse-stimulation techniques

The m-sequence pseudorandom signal has been shown to be a more effective probing signal than traditional Gaussian white noise for studying nonlinear biological systems using cross-correlation techniques. The effectiveness is evidenced by the high signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and speed of data acquisition. However, the "anomalies" that occur in the estimations of the cross-correlations represent an obstacle that prevents m-sequences from being more widely used for studying nonlinear systems. The sparse-stimulation method for measuring system kernels can help alleviate estimation errors caused by anomalies. In this paper, a "padded sparse-stimulation" method is evaluated, a modification of the "inserted sparse-stimulation" technique introduced by Sutter, along with a short m-sequence as a probing signal. Computer simulations show that both the "padded" and "inserted" methods can effectively eliminate the anomalies in the calculation of the second-order kernel, even when short m-sequences were used (length of 1023 for a binary m-sequence, and 728 for a ternary m-sequence). Preliminary experimental data from neuromagnetic studies of the human visual system are also presented, demonstrating that the system kernels can be measured with high signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios using short m-sequences.