{"id":"https://openalex.org/W7204248045","doi":"https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.21.746318","title":"SPOUT: An open-source hardware and software platform to study decision making while manipulating and recording from neural activity","display_name":"SPOUT: An open-source hardware and software platform to study decision making while manipulating and recording from neural activity","publication_year":2026,"publication_date":"2026-08-26","ids":{"openalex":"https://openalex.org/W7204248045","doi":"https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.21.746318"},"language":"en","primary_location":{"id":"doi:10.64898/2026.08.21.746318","doi":"https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.21.746318","is_oa":true,"landing_page_url":"https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.21.746318","pdf_url":null,"source":{"id":"https://openalex.org/S4306402567","display_name":"bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)","issn_l":null,"issn":null,"is_oa":false,"is_in_doaj":false,"is_core":false,"listed_in":[],"host_organization":"https://openalex.org/I2750212522","host_organization_name":"Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory","host_organization_lineage":["https://openalex.org/I2750212522"],"host_organization_lineage_names":[],"type":"repository"},"license":"cc-by","license_id":"https://openalex.org/licenses/cc-by","version":"submittedVersion","is_accepted":false,"is_published":false,"raw_source_name":"bioRxiv","raw_type":"posted-content"},"volume":null,"type":"preprint","is_traditional":true,"indexed_in":["crossref"],"open_access":{"is_oa":true,"oa_status":"green","oa_url":"https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.21.746318","any_repository_has_fulltext":true},"authorships":[{"author_position":"first","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5050171656","display_name":"Bastijn J.G. van den Boom","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0853-3763","observed_orcids":["https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0853-3763"]},"institutions":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/I1344073410","display_name":"Howard Hughes Medical Institute","ror":"https://ror.org/006w34k90","country_code":"US","type":"facility","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I1344073410"]},{"id":"https://openalex.org/I136199984","display_name":"Harvard University","ror":"https://ror.org/03vek6s52","country_code":"US","type":"education","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I136199984"]}],"countries":["US"],"is_corresponding":true,"raw_author_name":"Bastijn J.G. van den Boom","raw_affiliation_strings":["Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA;"],"raw_orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0853-3763","affiliations":[{"raw_affiliation_string":"Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA;","institution_ids":["https://openalex.org/I1344073410","https://openalex.org/I136199984"]}]},{"author_position":"middle","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5148324657","display_name":"Deeptirmayee Dash","orcid":null,"observed_orcids":[]},"institutions":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/I1344073410","display_name":"Howard Hughes Medical Institute","ror":"https://ror.org/006w34k90","country_code":"US","type":"facility","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I1344073410"]},{"id":"https://openalex.org/I136199984","display_name":"Harvard University","ror":"https://ror.org/03vek6s52","country_code":"US","type":"education","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I136199984"]}],"countries":["US"],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Deeptirmayee Dash","raw_affiliation_strings":["Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA;"],"raw_orcid":null,"affiliations":[{"raw_affiliation_string":"Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA;","institution_ids":["https://openalex.org/I1344073410","https://openalex.org/I136199984"]}]},{"author_position":"middle","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5148239441","display_name":"Melanie Rutherford","orcid":null,"observed_orcids":[]},"institutions":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/I1344073410","display_name":"Howard Hughes Medical Institute","ror":"https://ror.org/006w34k90","country_code":"US","type":"facility","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I1344073410"]},{"id":"https://openalex.org/I136199984","display_name":"Harvard University","ror":"https://ror.org/03vek6s52","country_code":"US","type":"education","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I136199984"]}],"countries":["US"],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Melanie Rutherford","raw_affiliation_strings":["Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA;"],"raw_orcid":null,"affiliations":[{"raw_affiliation_string":"Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA;","institution_ids":["https://openalex.org/I1344073410","https://openalex.org/I136199984"]}]},{"author_position":"middle","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5054880742","display_name":"Allison E. Girasole","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1055-9030","observed_orcids":["https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1055-9030"]},"institutions":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/I1344073410","display_name":"Howard Hughes Medical Institute","ror":"https://ror.org/006w34k90","country_code":"US","type":"facility","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I1344073410"]},{"id":"https://openalex.org/I136199984","display_name":"Harvard University","ror":"https://ror.org/03vek6s52","country_code":"US","type":"education","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I136199984"]}],"countries":["US"],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Allison E. Girasole","raw_affiliation_strings":["Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA;"],"raw_orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1055-9030","affiliations":[{"raw_affiliation_string":"Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA;","institution_ids":["https://openalex.org/I1344073410","https://openalex.org/I136199984"]}]},{"author_position":"middle","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5056359329","display_name":"Pavel Gorelik","orcid":null,"observed_orcids":[]},"institutions":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/I136199984","display_name":"Harvard University","ror":"https://ror.org/03vek6s52","country_code":"US","type":"education","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I136199984"]}],"countries":["US"],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Pavel Gorelik","raw_affiliation_strings":["Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA"],"raw_orcid":null,"affiliations":[{"raw_affiliation_string":"Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA","institution_ids":["https://openalex.org/I136199984"]}]},{"author_position":"middle","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5004751865","display_name":"Ofer Mazor","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6860-7242","observed_orcids":["https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6860-7242"]},"institutions":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/I136199984","display_name":"Harvard University","ror":"https://ror.org/03vek6s52","country_code":"US","type":"education","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I136199984"]}],"countries":["US"],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Ofer Mazor","raw_affiliation_strings":["Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA"],"raw_orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6860-7242","affiliations":[{"raw_affiliation_string":"Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA","institution_ids":["https://openalex.org/I136199984"]}]},{"author_position":"last","author":{"id":"https://openalex.org/A5043679513","display_name":"Bernardo\u00a0Luis Sabatini","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0095-9177","observed_orcids":["https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0095-9177"]},"institutions":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/I1344073410","display_name":"Howard Hughes Medical Institute","ror":"https://ror.org/006w34k90","country_code":"US","type":"facility","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I1344073410"]},{"id":"https://openalex.org/I136199984","display_name":"Harvard University","ror":"https://ror.org/03vek6s52","country_code":"US","type":"education","lineage":["https://openalex.org/I136199984"]}],"countries":["US"],"is_corresponding":false,"raw_author_name":"Bernardo L. Sabatini","raw_affiliation_strings":["Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA;"],"raw_orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0095-9177","affiliations":[{"raw_affiliation_string":"Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA;","institution_ids":["https://openalex.org/I1344073410","https://openalex.org/I136199984"]}]}],"institutions":[],"countries_distinct_count":1,"institutions_distinct_count":2,"corresponding_author_ids":["https://openalex.org/A5050171656"],"corresponding_institution_ids":["https://openalex.org/I1344073410","https://openalex.org/I136199984"],"apc_list":null,"apc_paid":null,"fwci":null,"has_fulltext":false,"cited_by_count":0,"citation_normalized_percentile":null,"cited_by_percentile_year":null,"biblio":{"volume":null,"issue":null,"first_page":null,"last_page":null},"is_retracted":false,"is_paratext":false,"is_xpac":false,"primary_topic":{"id":"https://openalex.org/T10581","display_name":"Neural dynamics and brain function","score":0.18230000138282776,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/2805","display_name":"Cognitive Neuroscience"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/28","display_name":"Neuroscience"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/1","display_name":"Life Sciences"}},"topics":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/T10581","display_name":"Neural dynamics and brain function","score":0.18230000138282776,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/2805","display_name":"Cognitive Neuroscience"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/28","display_name":"Neuroscience"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/1","display_name":"Life Sciences"}},{"id":"https://openalex.org/T10042","display_name":"Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies","score":0.16359999775886536,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/2805","display_name":"Cognitive Neuroscience"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/28","display_name":"Neuroscience"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/1","display_name":"Life Sciences"}},{"id":"https://openalex.org/T10448","display_name":"Memory and Neural Mechanisms","score":0.15489999949932098,"subfield":{"id":"https://openalex.org/subfields/2805","display_name":"Cognitive Neuroscience"},"field":{"id":"https://openalex.org/fields/28","display_name":"Neuroscience"},"domain":{"id":"https://openalex.org/domains/1","display_name":"Life Sciences"}}],"keywords":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/decision-making","display_name":"decision-making","score":0.8709999918937683},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/open-source-hardware","display_name":"open-source hardware","score":0.578000009059906},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/optogenetics","display_name":"optogenetics","score":0.7699999809265137},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/two-photon-calcium-imaging","display_name":"two-photon calcium imaging","score":0.9869999885559082},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/anterior-lateral-motor-cortex","display_name":"anterior lateral motor cortex","score":0.9380000233650208},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/action-outcome-associations","display_name":"action-outcome associations","score":0.753000020980835},{"id":"https://openalex.org/keywords/clock-synchronization","display_name":"clock synchronization","score":0.40799999237060547}],"concepts":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/C50738837","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q781492","display_name":"Optogenetics","level":2,"score":0.6761999726295471},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C67212190","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104851","display_name":"Firmware","level":2,"score":0.6682999730110168},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C41008148","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21198","display_name":"Computer science","level":0,"score":0.6305000185966492},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C9390403","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3966","display_name":"Computer hardware","level":1,"score":0.5570999979972839},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2777904410","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7397","display_name":"Software","level":2,"score":0.5565000176429749},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2780451532","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q759676","display_name":"Task (project management)","level":2,"score":0.5098999738693237},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2984127161","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q969316","display_name":"Neural activity","level":2,"score":0.44620001316070557},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C113843644","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q901882","display_name":"Interface (matter)","level":4,"score":0.4242999851703644},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C149635348","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193040","display_name":"Embedded system","level":1,"score":0.4041999876499176},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2778562939","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1298791","display_name":"Synchronization (alternating current)","level":3,"score":0.3991999924182892},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C169760540","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q207011","display_name":"Neuroscience","level":1,"score":0.3601999878883362},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C74254510","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7240508","display_name":"Premovement neuronal activity","level":2,"score":0.335999995470047},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2908647359","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2625603","display_name":"Population","level":2,"score":0.3296999931335449},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C163985040","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1172399","display_name":"Data acquisition","level":2,"score":0.328000009059906},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C173201364","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q897410","display_name":"Brain\u2013computer interface","level":3,"score":0.3019999861717224},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C120843803","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4955807","display_name":"Brain activity and meditation","level":3,"score":0.27379998564720154},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C197525751","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1431093","display_name":"Neuroprosthetics","level":2,"score":0.27320000529289246},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2777348757","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2346577","display_name":"Cortex (anatomy)","level":2,"score":0.26489999890327454},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2780365114","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q169478","display_name":"MATLAB","level":2,"score":0.25060001015663147},{"id":"https://openalex.org/C2779726219","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7685884","display_name":"Target acquisition","level":2,"score":0.25049999356269836}],"mesh":[],"locations_count":1,"locations":[{"id":"doi:10.64898/2026.08.21.746318","doi":"https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.21.746318","is_oa":true,"landing_page_url":"https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.21.746318","pdf_url":null,"source":{"id":"https://openalex.org/S4306402567","display_name":"bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)","issn_l":null,"issn":null,"is_oa":false,"is_in_doaj":false,"is_core":false,"listed_in":[],"host_organization":"https://openalex.org/I2750212522","host_organization_name":"Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory","host_organization_lineage":["https://openalex.org/I2750212522"],"host_organization_lineage_names":[],"type":"repository"},"license":"cc-by","license_id":"https://openalex.org/licenses/cc-by","version":"submittedVersion","is_accepted":false,"is_published":false,"raw_source_name":"bioRxiv","raw_type":"posted-content"}],"best_oa_location":{"id":"doi:10.64898/2026.08.21.746318","doi":"https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.21.746318","is_oa":true,"landing_page_url":"https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.21.746318","pdf_url":null,"source":{"id":"https://openalex.org/S4306402567","display_name":"bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)","issn_l":null,"issn":null,"is_oa":false,"is_in_doaj":false,"is_core":false,"listed_in":[],"host_organization":"https://openalex.org/I2750212522","host_organization_name":"Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory","host_organization_lineage":["https://openalex.org/I2750212522"],"host_organization_lineage_names":[],"type":"repository"},"license":"cc-by","license_id":"https://openalex.org/licenses/cc-by","version":"submittedVersion","is_accepted":false,"is_published":false,"raw_source_name":"bioRxiv","raw_type":"posted-content"},"sustainable_development_goals":[],"study_designs":[],"awards":[],"funders":[{"id":"https://openalex.org/F4320306147","display_name":"Brain and Behavior Research Foundation","ror":"https://ror.org/03a63f080"}],"has_content":{"pdf":false,"grobid_xml":false},"content_urls":null,"referenced_works_count":49,"referenced_works":["https://openalex.org/W1897139626","https://openalex.org/W1967332436","https://openalex.org/W1974168010","https://openalex.org/W2005392553","https://openalex.org/W2007977326","https://openalex.org/W2017949680","https://openalex.org/W2022561563","https://openalex.org/W2037820041","https://openalex.org/W2040707073","https://openalex.org/W2076168055","https://openalex.org/W2081432059","https://openalex.org/W2081735335","https://openalex.org/W2121071682","https://openalex.org/W2167279371","https://openalex.org/W2394641095","https://openalex.org/W2469581795","https://openalex.org/W2586907386","https://openalex.org/W2767493192","https://openalex.org/W2771818396","https://openalex.org/W2893580039","https://openalex.org/W2943977078","https://openalex.org/W2949634824","https://openalex.org/W2952167528","https://openalex.org/W3000377151","https://openalex.org/W3125348427","https://openalex.org/W3162611316","https://openalex.org/W3165176743","https://openalex.org/W3208538415","https://openalex.org/W4205122060","https://openalex.org/W4224094912","https://openalex.org/W4224239568","https://openalex.org/W4294990933","https://openalex.org/W4297902633","https://openalex.org/W4312010221","https://openalex.org/W4319234799","https://openalex.org/W4324344199","https://openalex.org/W4367175283","https://openalex.org/W4379740473","https://openalex.org/W4385684591","https://openalex.org/W4388625904","https://openalex.org/W4391450294","https://openalex.org/W4400914087","https://openalex.org/W4406411606","https://openalex.org/W4406949414","https://openalex.org/W4409325095","https://openalex.org/W4410189134","https://openalex.org/W4416337507","https://openalex.org/W7131254782","https://openalex.org/W7165143523"],"related_works":["https://openalex.org/W4409325095","https://openalex.org/W7131254782","https://openalex.org/W2766767707","https://openalex.org/W7202047086","https://openalex.org/W2619719736","https://openalex.org/W3048865414","https://openalex.org/W6910972134","https://openalex.org/W4385684591","https://openalex.org/W2918905213","https://openalex.org/W2900725029"],"abstract_inverted_index":{"Recording":[0],"and":[1,24,30,91,100,110,115,142,151,180,204,269],"manipulating":[2],"brain":[3],"activity":[4,18],"during":[5,224,244],"behavior":[6,20,71],"is":[7,77],"critical":[8],"to":[9,19,69,174,212,249,259],"understanding":[10],"the":[11,129,139,177,185,199,218],"underlying":[12],"mechanisms":[13],"of":[14,63,157,187,237],"decision-making.":[15],"Linking":[16],"neural":[17,267],"requires":[21],"behavioral":[22],"hardware":[23,82],"software":[25],"tightly":[26],"integrated":[27],"with":[28,51],"recording":[29],"perturbation":[31],"systems":[32],"on":[33,79,192],"a":[34,52,84,95,120,161],"shared":[35],"clock.":[36],"We":[37,137,183],"built":[38,78],"SPOUT":[39,188,253],"(State-machine":[40],"Platform":[41],"for":[42,89,170],"Operant":[43],"Uni/dual-spout":[44],"Tasks),":[45],"an":[46,101,146,193,255],"open-source,":[47,256],"Teensy-driven":[48],"state-machine":[49],"platform":[50,76,258],"MATLAB":[53],"interface":[54,130],"that":[55,206],"runs":[56],"10":[57],"unique":[58],"decision-making":[59,261],"tasks":[60,114],"(with":[61],"dozens":[62],"variations":[64],"available":[65],"through":[66,128],"user-friendly":[67,121],"settings)":[68],"study":[70,260],"in":[72,176,197,262],"head-restrained":[73,263],"mice.":[74],"The":[75,105],"several":[80],"custom":[81],"devices:":[83],"dual-lick":[85],"detector,":[86],"headplate":[87],"designs":[88],"optogenetics":[90,102],"two-photon":[92,235],"calcium":[93],"imaging,":[94],"three-axis":[96],"motorized":[97],"spout":[98,113],"manipulator,":[99],"power":[103],"modulator.":[104],"firmware":[106],"differentiates":[107],"between":[108],"one":[109],"two":[111],"lick":[112,143],"can":[116,125],"be":[117,126],"controlled":[118],"by":[119,132,166,189],"interface.":[122],"Task":[123],"settings":[124,135],"selected":[127],"or":[131],"loading":[133],"predefined":[134],"files.":[136],"validated":[138],"clock":[140,181],"speed":[141],"detection":[144,156],"against":[145],"independent,":[147],"external":[148],"acquisition":[149,178],"system":[150,179],"identified":[152],"highly":[153],"precise,":[154],"sub-millisecond":[155],"single":[158],"licks.":[159],"Using":[160],"pseudo-random":[162],"synchronization":[163],"pulse":[164],"generated":[165],"SPOUT,":[167],"we":[168],"corrected":[169],"missing":[171],"data":[172],"due":[173],"glitches":[175],"drift.":[182],"showcase":[184],"versatility":[186],"training":[190],"mice":[191,207,264],"uninstructed":[194],"lick-left/lick-right":[195],"task":[196],"which":[198],"rewarded":[200],"side":[201],"switches":[202],"unexpectedly":[203],"found":[205],"use":[208],"history-dependent":[209],"action-outcome":[210],"associations":[211],"guide":[213],"future":[214],"behavior.":[215],"Transiently":[216],"inhibiting":[217],"anterior":[219],"lateral":[220],"motor":[221],"cortex":[222],"(ALM)":[223],"cue":[225],"presentation":[226],"induced":[227],"contralateral":[228,245],"deficits,":[229],"without":[230],"affecting":[231],"ipsilateral":[232,250],"trials.":[233],"Finally,":[234],"imaging":[236],"ALM":[238],"neurons":[239],"revealed":[240],"stronger":[241],"population":[242],"responses":[243],"choice":[246],"licks":[247],"compared":[248],"ones.":[251],"Together,":[252],"offers":[254],"affordable":[257],"while":[265],"combining":[266],"recordings":[268],"manipulations.":[270]},"counts_by_year":[],"updated_date":"2026-11-12T12:28:57.059296","created_date":"2026-08-27T00:00:00"}