Tracking chronically recorded single-units in cortically controlled brain machine interfaces

Multiple single-units recorded from chronically-implanted microelectrode arrays frequently exhibit variability in their spike waveform features and firing characteristics, making it challenging to ascertain the identity of recorded neurons across days. In this study, we present a fast and efficient algorithm that tracks multiple single-units, recorded in a nonhuman primate performing brain control of a robotic arm, across days based on features extracted from units´ average waveforms. Furthermore, the algorithm does not require long recording duration to perform the analysis and can be applied at the start of each recording session without requiring the subject to be engaged in a behavioral task. The algorithm achieves a classification accuracy of up to 92% compared to experts´ manual tracking.