A novel machine learning-based approach for the detection and analysis of spontaneous synaptic currents

PLoS One. 2022 Sep 19;17(9):e0273501. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273501. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Spontaneous synaptic activity is a hallmark of biological neural networks. A thorough description of these synaptic signals is essential for understanding neurotransmitter release and the generation of a postsynaptic response. However, the complexity of synaptic current trajectories has either precluded an in-depth analysis or it has forced human observers to resort to manual or semi-automated approaches based on subjective amplitude and area threshold settings. Both procedures are time-consuming, error-prone and likely affected by human bias. Here, we present three complimentary methods for a fully automated analysis of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents measured in major cell types of the mouse retina and in a primary culture of mouse auditory cortex. Two approaches rely on classical threshold methods, while the third represents a novel machine learning-based algorithm. Comparison with frequently used existing methods demonstrates the suitability of our algorithms for an unbiased and efficient analysis of synaptic signals in the central nervous system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Animals
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / physiology
  • Humans
  • Machine Learning*
  • Mice
  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Synaptic Transmission* / physiology

Substances

  • Neurotransmitter Agents

Grants and funding

Bianca Pircher and Andreas Feigenspan were supported by grants (FE 464/12-1, FE 464/14-1) from the DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft), which however did not influenced the study. We acknowledge financial support by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg within the funding programme “Open Access Publication Funding”. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Any further financial support was not given.