Quantitative Methods in Neuroscience A Neuroanatomical Approach

by Evans, Stephen M.; Janson, Ann Marie; Nyengaard, Jens Randel

• ISBN13: 9780198505280
• ISBN10: 0198505280
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-09-02
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Stereology is a valuable tool for scientists, allowing them to make 3-Dreconstructions of the brain from 2-D data (as usually obtained from PET or MRIscans). Such 3-D reconstructions allow a far greater understanding of brainfunction. However, in carrying out such reconstructions, often based on limitedor incomplete data, there is always a risk of experimenter bias. An importantfunction of stereology is to eliminate bias in the data. With many of the majorneuroscience journals now insisting that data be presented in this way, there isa greater need than ever for neuroscientists to understand 'unbiased'quantitative methods, such as those offered by stereology.'Quantitative methods in neuroscience' is a cookbook of stereological methodswritten especially for neuroscientists. It provides clear and accessible adviceabout when and when not to use stereology. Throughout the book, the emphasis ison practical guidance, rather than discussions and formulae. Written by leadingscientists in the field of stereology, the book will be a valuable introductionto these methods for neuroscientists, and all those involved in development ofnew drug programmes.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
D.C. Sterio
List of abbreviations	ix
List of contributors	xi
1 General introduction	1	(15)
Stephen M. Evans and Jens R. Nyengaard
2 A case study from neuroscience involving stereology and multivariate analysis	16	(51)
Luis M. Cruz-Orive, Ana M. Insausti, Ricardo Insausti, and Dámaso Crespo
Section 1 Number
3 Section introduction	67	(18)
Stephen M. Evans and Jens R. Nyengaard
4 The use of fluorescent probes in cell-counting procedures	85	(31)
Daniel A. Peterson
5 Counting in situ hybridized neurons	116	(30)
Bente Finsen, Rikke Gregersen, Elin Lehrmann, Steen Lovmand, and Mark J. West
6 Number in electron microscopy:estimation of total number of synapses in the main regions of human neocortex	146	(21)
Jens R. Nyengaard, Karl-Anton Dorph-Petersen, and Yong Tang
7 The number of microvessels estimated by an unbiased stereological method applied in a brain region	167	(18)
Annemette Løkkegaard
Section 2 Volume
8 Section introduction	185	(12)
Jens R. Nyengaard and Stephen M. Evans
9 The nucleator and the planar and optical rotators applied in rat dorsal root ganglia	197	(19)
Trine Tandrup
10 Estimation of number and volume of immunohistochemically stained neurons in complex brain regions	216	(25)
Karl-Anton Dorph-Petersen, Raben Rosenberg, and Jens R. Nyengaard
Section 3 Length and surface
11 Section introduction	241	(8)
Stephen M. Evans and Jens R. Nyengaard
12 Length estimation of nerve fibers in human white matter using isotropic uniformly random sections	249	(15)
Yong Tang and Jens R. Nyengaard
13 Virtual test systems for estimation of orientation-dependent parameters in thick, arbitrarily orientated sections exemplified by length quantification of regenerating axons in spinal cord lesions using isotropic, virtual planes	264	(23)
Jytte Overgaard Larsen, Mia vonEuler, and AnnMarie Janson
Section 4 Second order stereology
14 Spatial distribution	287	(14)
Stephen M. Evans
Section 5 Cell culture
15 Unbiased morphometrical techniques for the quantitative assessment of cells in primary dissociation cultures	301	(13)
Hannsjörg Schröder, Jens R. Nyengaard, W. Selberis, E. Lain, A. Keller, Christoph Köhler, and Brigitte Witter
Glossary	314	(5)
Jens R. Nyengaard
Index	319