ASCT: Atlantis Source Connectivity Toolbox

for source-based connectivity analysis on EEG/MEG signals

The Atlantis Source Connectivity Toolbox (ASCT) is an open-source software designed for a complete analysis of directional connectivity on EEG and MEG datasets. 

The toolbox covers the complete signal processing, from raw data import to connectivity statistics and visualization. After setting up the analysis, i.e., defining the experimental design and adjusting parameters, a fully automatic mode of operation is available. The process can still be supervised at all stages, with a number of log files and a data viewer. Importantly, to enable reliable analysis of our own data, we provide recommendations for the majority of parameters. Our method underwent extensive testing with real experimental data and also using simulated and realistic signals.

Installation

ASCT works in Matlab environment. Download and unpack the archive.  Add the directories into the Matlab path. Enjoy.

The toolbox requires FieldTrip (Oostenveld et al., 2011) to run. Other required toolboxes or the functions from: EEGlab (Delorme & Makeig, 2004), fastICA (Hyvärinen & Oja, 2000), SimBio (Vorwerk et al., 2018), HCP Workbench (Glasser et al., 2013), AAR (Gómez-Herrero, 2007), ROInetworks (Colclough et al., 2015), and Multar are shipped within ASCT for user convenience. Additionally, to apply individual source models based on T1 MRI scans, FreeSurfer (Fischl, 2012) is necessary.

How to use

The analysis is launched with a single EX_SETUP file, where all the analysis parameters and experimental desgn are defined. Sample ExSetup files can be found in the /templates directory of ASCT. Currently supported data formats are: bdf, eeglab (EEG), ctf, itab (MEG).

Manual

The toolbox manual is currently under construction but it is mature enough to use it.

References

• Wyczesany M, Spadone S, Gorski T, Labaza A, Domagala M, Kaminski M, Ligeza TS, Capotosto P, Kroker T, Junghöfer M, Della Penna S; ASCT: a pipeline for standardized analysis of MEG/EEG effective connectivity. Practical guidelines for applications of source-based Directed Transfer Function; (submitted)
• S Spadone, M Wyczesany, S Della Penna, M Corbetta, P Capotosto; Directed flow of beta band communication during reorienting of attention within the dorsal attention network; Brain connectivity 11 (9), 717-724MJ
• Kaminski, KJ Blinowska; A new method of the description of the information flow in the brain structures; Biological cybernetics 65 (3), 203-210D
• Mantini, S Della Penna, L Marzetti, F De Pasquale, V Pizzella, M Corbetta, ...; A signal-processing pipeline for magnetoencephalography resting-state networks; Brain connectivity 1 (1), 49-59

Acknowledgments

The project was supported by National Science Center (PL) and the Faculty of Philosophy, Jagiellonian University. Thank you!

 

!! ASCT workshop at IOP2025 !!

Pre-conference workshop will be held on Jun 08 in Krakow. See: http://iop2025.pl

 

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Questions, suggestions and nice words can be sent to: m [dot] wyczesany [at the domain] uj.edu [finished with] pl

Developmnent team: Jagiellonian University, Krakow, PL and Institute for Advanced Medical Technologies, Chieti, IT

 

 

 

In memory of Adam Labaza, who greatly contributed to our works and passed away in 2021.

 

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