STIM2 FMRI MEG software stimulus Neuroscan

Stim² Neuroscan Compumedics Brasil

Stim² is the next evolutionary step in stimulus presentation and experimental design. Running within the the Windows XP (only)enviroment, Stim² retains the functionality and timing of the original DOS-based STIM, but with a contemporary user interface and numerous expanded features.

Stim² is a complete software environment for custom stimulus and task design as well as presentation. The Stim² system can be integrated in fMRI, MEG, and other functional neuro-imaging applications, and is therefore a powerful part of your functional imaging system. The software provides a familiar menu-driven interface in which to design and present visual and auditory stimulation paradigms.

Stim²'s powerful and intuitive design translates into a short learning curve and quick implementation. The modules make it easy to design and execute your stimuli with the greatest precision, and the wide array of pre-packaged stimuli ensures fast integration into your research.

Contact sales@neuroscan.com for upgrade information or to order the Stim² system.

Changes from STIM:
• Runs completely in Windows (XP).
• Support for all common graphics file types, and SND or WAV sound files.
• A reorganized interface allows easier task configuration and eliminates redundant settings.
• Mouse and keyboard responses - as well as STIM Response Pad responses - are sent to SCAN.
• Behavioral results files are more easily accessed and color coded.
• HTML description regions are presented in many modules, explaining in the software the function of the various parameters or settings.
• A new Gentask Editor that facilitates creating, modifying and debugging sequence files.

Gentask (Generalized Task Editor): An interface for creating and presenting almost any type of visual, auditory, or combined task and recording behavioral responses. Here are just a few of the features GENTASK provides that make designing complex tasks simple: calibration to ensure precise timing of stimulus presentation and EP/ERP acquisition system triggering; all common graphics file types supported; 16 bit sound support (Neuroscan SND and WAV file types); present pictures and sounds in the same task, even simultaneously; display pictures for as little as two screen refreshes; flip between pictures with virtually no delay; plus many more too numerous to name. Gentask has been used for a variety of experiments including auditory N400, MMN, CNV, picture memory, and many more. A new Gentask Editor makes creating, modifying and debugging sequences files much easier. Many sequence files created in STIM will play correctly in Stim². In some cases, you may need to make minor modifications to allow for some programming changes.

Motor Tasks
Tap: A motor performance task modeled after the finger tapping test commonly employed in neuropsychological assessment.

Track: A visual tracking task useful in measuring visual-motor tracking ability. Precise triggering is provided for neurophysiological recording systems such as SCAN.

Perceptual Tasks
Contrast: A unique interface for performing contrast reversal stimulation with evoked potential recording systems such as SCAN. CONTRAST features a simultaneous fixation task to ensure foveation, repositioning of pattern relative to fixation, vertical/horizontal bars, radial patterns and gradients, selective masking, and task suspension during inattentive periods.

Naming: A flexible interface for presenting visual stimuli and recording verbal responses. NAME allows you to configure tasks with almost any visual stimuli (including text and pictures), digitally record verbal responses, and score responses for both accuracy and latency. Precise triggering is also provided for neurophysiological recording systems such as SCAN.

Stroop: A version of the Stroop neuropsychological test modified for evoked potential recordings.

Attentional Tasks
Cued: A visual cued attention switching task. CUED provides central “arrow” and peripheral “highlighted box” cues and is commonly used as an index of ability to release and reorient visual attention. Triggering is provided for external devices such as SCAN ER/ERP system.

CONCPT: A “go/no-go” visual continuous performance task in which the subject’s response to the target should be contingent upon the appearance of a cue stimulus. CONCPT also provides triggering for evoked potential recording systems.

VISCPT: A visual continuous performance task widely used in the assessment of sustained attention. VISCPT provides precise triggering for evoked potential recording systems such as SCAN and is an appropriate interface for visual P300 and related experiments.

AUDCPT: an auditory continuous performance task. AUDCPT provides an interface similar to VISCPT, wherein you assign probabilities to up to 10 different auditory events. Provides precise triggering for evoked potential recordings and is perfect for P300 and MMN experiments.

Memory Tasks
Spatial Memory: A battery designed to assess static and sequential visual spatial memory.

VLT (Verbal Learning Task): A flexible interface for presenting a variety of verbal learning, verbal memory, and other language paradigms. VLT provides precise triggering for ERP systems and is well suited to N400 and other language-related ERPs.

SPR (Serial Probe Recognition): A visual memory task that can be used in a variety of experiments in which serial position effects are of interest. SPR can be used with provided “normed” pictures or your own. SPR provides precise triggering for ERP systems and is well suited to Sternberg memory scanning experiments.

Cognitive Tasks
Card Sorting: Similar to the card sorting test used in neuropsychological batteries, CARDSORT is widely used in behavioral and imaging research studies on concept formation.

Categories: CATEGORY is similar to the widely used neuropsychological test, and is useful as an activation task in imaging studies or as a behavioral measure of problem solving ability.

Utilities
Sound Editor: A program for recording, editing, and presenting digital sound segments. The Sound Editor has programmable attenuation in .75 dB steps, a dynamic range from 0 to 130 dB, 16 bit CD quality digital sampling, customizable digital filtering, mono or stereo processing, and a variety of windowing options. Sounds can be synthesized (i.e. pure tone, noise, click) or digitally sampled from a microphone or line input. Precise triggering is also provided for external devices such as SCAN EP/ERP system. The module is commonly used to present click stimuli for ABR or BAER recording, and to create sound files used in other Stim² modules.

Image Converter: Stim² will present the commonly encountered types of graphics files (BMP, JPG, PNG, TIF, etc.). However, should you have files that cannot be displayed, the Image Converter may be used to convert them to a form that can be presented.

The Stim² Audio System and Response Interface
Each Stim² Complete system is provided with precision hardware for recording sounds from a microphone or line input with 16 bit A/D conversion, playing back mono or stereo sounds at SPL calibrated levels (HL also possible), recording manual responses with push buttons or optional finger-lift LED photocells, recording verbal responses with millisecond accuracy, and measuring reaction time with an independent clock in case stimulus and response occur simultaneously. Other features of the STIM Audio System include anti-aliasing filters, audiometric quality insert earphones, independent left and right channel gain levels, and more.

Specifications:

TIMING & ACCURACY SPECIFICATIONS
AUDIO
Stimulus onset to trigger pulse below 220µs* allowing acquisition of Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)
VIDEO TIMING
Stimulus onset duration limited to two refresh cycles. For example, a 100Hz refresh rate will generate minimum stimulus duration = 20ms
Trigger to video onset reliability ± 100µs

Configuration:

There are two versions of Stim²: Stim² Complete, which uses the existing STIM hardware, and a Software Only version that uses the hardware in the computer. The Complete system includes the 4-button STIM Response Pad, software/hardware control of the decibel levels (precise dB levels), and the STIM microphone. Keyboard and mouse responses are available with both systems; the STIM Response Pad provides the most accurately timed responses. The Software Only version may be adequate for some situations; however, the Complete system is generally preferred. It has additional flexibility and control, and it is likely that long range development will favor the Complete system.

Stim² interfaces seamlessly with SCAN and any of our amplifiers: SynAmps, SynAmps², or NuAmps.