Spike-Triggered Averaging

Spike-Triggered Averaging (STA) is a method used in neuroscience to understand how neural cells respond to stimuli. It involves analyzing the average stimulus that occurs just before a neuron fires a spike (or action potential). By averaging these stimulus segments over many spikes, researchers can identify common features—like specific patterns in the input—that tend to trigger the neuron. This helps reveal what kinds of signals or information the neuron is most responsive to, providing insights into how sensory systems process information.