Peak Firing Rate
Bin timestamped spikes into caller-defined half-open, possibly unequal-duration bins and report the peak observed firing rate.
Description
Histogram firing rates divide counts by each bin’s duration.
Histogram firing rates divide counts by each bin’s duration. Unequal-width bins need separate denominators before identifying the peak rate.
The tool returns binCounts (bin counts); ratesHz (rates hz); peakRateHz (peak rate hz). Input measurements and model parameters are supplied by the caller; the tool computes the stated summary rather than acquiring those measurements.
When to use Peak Firing Rate
Use Peak Firing Rate when you already have spikeTimesSeconds, binEdgesSeconds and want binCounts, ratesHz, peakRateHz. This is useful for checking a supplied calculation, documenting a measurement convention, or comparing observations prepared on the same basis.
How to use Peak Firing Rate and understand its results
- Enter spikeTimesSeconds, binEdgesSeconds using the field table below. Match the units, ordering and data boundaries described in the calculation.
- Run the tool after checking the stated bounds and matching paired observations or categories. A malformed request gives a tool error rather than a usable measurement.
- Read binCounts, ratesHz, peakRateHz. Use the calculation and interpretation below to distinguish amounts, ratios, signs and decision flags where applicable.
- Review the supplied parameters and assumptions before using the result in a report or comparing it with another observation.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type and bounds | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| spikeTimesSeconds | Spike times seconds | list of number | Required |
| binEdgesSeconds | Bin edges seconds | list of number | Required |
Use increasing bin edges and distinct increasing spike times inside the full half-open range. A spike on an internal boundary enters the later bin; the final boundary is excluded.
rateHz[bin] = spikeCount[bin]/binDurationSeconds The symbols refer to the supplied quantities or generated values described above; unit conversions and comparison boundaries follow the stated implementation.
{
"input": {
"spikeTimesSeconds": [
0.1,
0.2,
0.6
],
"binEdgesSeconds": [
0,
0.5,
1
]
},
"output": {
"binCounts": [
2,
1
],
"ratesHz": [
4,
2
],
"peakRateHz": 4
}
}Limitations and assumptions
Empty spike lists yield zero counts and rates. Binning resolution affects the peak, and no smoothing is applied.
Numerical inputs must be finite. The tool checks its declared input shape and calculation constraints; those checks do not verify the quality, calibration or representativeness of the supplied observations.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Evoked Firing Rate: Compare paired trial spike counts over different baseline/response exposures and preserve signed net evoked rate, including suppression. Burst Firing Rate: Summarize already-detected burst intervals as event rate, burst-assigned spike rate and mean within-burst ISI rate; differs from classifying raw spike burst fraction.
Methodological background: Spike train variability.1
References
-
Spike train variability — Gerstner et al.; Neuronal Dynamics
Similar or alternative tools
- Evoked Firing Rate
Compare paired trial spike counts over different baseline/response exposures and preserve signed net evoked rate, including suppression.
- Burst Firing Rate
Summarize already-detected burst intervals as event rate, burst-assigned spike rate and mean within-burst ISI rate; differs from classifying raw spike burst fraction.