A high-resolution interval timer and buffered storage system for neurophysiological experiments

A high-resolution interval timer, designed as a computer peripheral for use in neurophysiological experiments, is described. With only minimal intervention by the controlling computer, this device detects, identifies and times the occurrence of discriminated neuronal discharges and changes in experimental status, and autonomously stores these encoded times in an on-board 4K×16 r.a.m. This device reduces the need for detailed software timing routines, while still permitting user selectible resolution (>1 to <100 μs/bit) and asynchronous access to the stored data by the controlling computer. The flexibility of this device and its ability to collect data autonomously make it extremely useful in a wide variety of sensory and behavioural neurophysiological experiments.