Quantitative analysis of intestinal electrical spike activity by a new computerized method.
We developed a computerized method that allows quantitative analysis of intestinal spike activity. This method was tested for a series of measurements in six fasting conscious dogs, fitted with bipolar electrodes chronically implanted along the small intestine. Data were stored on 8-channel tape recordings and digitized before computer processing. Spike detection was accomplished by means of a discriminant function able to differentiate spikes from non-spikes (e.g. artifacts) on the basis of six parameters. Computer analysis allowed accurate spike recognition (probability of incorrect classification less than 6%). Spike activity during fasting was monitored by calculating, during each phase of the migrating myoelectric complex, the following parameters per unit of time (30 s): number of spikes, percentage of spiked slow waves and number of spikes per spiked slow wave. Results were given both in tabular and graphical form. This method provides a research tool for a better quantitation of intestinal spike activity.
De Ponti
F
F
Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Terapia Medica, Università di Pavia, Italy.
Bonabello
A
A
D'Angelo
L
L
Frigo
G M
GM
Crema
A
A
D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods*; D005215:Fasting; D007422:Intestines / Q000502:physiology*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D012985:Software Design