The traditional clustering method utilized to partition
neuronal firing patterns, including K-means and FCM
algorithm, require specification of clusters numbers as priori
knowledge. A new approach to analyze groups of firing
patterns of neuronal spike trains based on community
structure partitioning analysis and modularity function Q is
examined in this study. This approach is able to automatically
identify the optimal number of groups in neuronal firing
patterns, realizing the true unsupervised analysis, and identify
groups of neurons with similar firing patterns. The method
was tested on a surrogate data set and a testing data set with
firing patterns known in advance. The method was also
applied to multi-electrode recording spike trains with
previously unknown patterns. Results indicate this method
can effectively self-determine number of pattern groups and
locate firing patterns of neuronal populations based on
community modularity Q.