STIPRESOFT: an alternative stimuli presentation software synchronizing with current acquisition systems in EEG experiments

Abstract

Since analyzing of visual evoked potentials is crucial in neuropsychology experiments, stimuli presentation software should be meticulously designed. In such experiments, synchronizing stimuli presentation software with existing biomedical instruments, and marking EEG signals are difficult problems to overcome. In EEG experiments, these kinds of problems have been still tried to be overcome with the simple and unprofessional software like PowerPoint. Furthermore, commercial software is costly and may be incompatible with the current laboratory resources. In this study, free and simple STIPRESOFT software which could synchronize stimuli presentation software with available EEG devices and could mark EEG signals at the time of visual stimulus was developed. In the applied experiments, the time latency between the stimulus and marking times were more successful with 0.028 ms according to the competitors. In the software, the advantages of the Win-API were benefited. In STIPRESOFT, two API were exploited to improve timing precision, and to enable synchronization. Furthermore, time stamps related to stimuli on EEG signals were recorded in a text file during the experiment. Consequently, the developed software presents an alternative free and simple solution for researchers who need to adjust synchronization between stimuli presentation and existing EEG device in the scientific studies.