Cell counts in the human cerebral cortex using a traditional and an automatic method.
This study compares the results of cell counting in the human cerebral cortex by a traditional and an automatic procedure. Four blocks were taken from standard areas of each of 10 brains from individuals aged 18-95 years and showing no neurological abnormality. Sections from each block were counted by traditional and automatic methods, both of which are described. The traditional method used photomicrographs and the automatic procedure used the quantimet 720 Image Analysing Computer. The degree of reproducibility of each method was measured and the results are discussed and tabulated. Comparison are made of the total cell counts, and the counts of cells measuring greater than 20 um across. The results show a high level of correlation between the two procedures but the manual count yields higher number for total cells and smaller numbers for large cells than the automatic method. The reasons for these discrepancies are discussed and examples of the arterfacts which produce them are giver. Using the traditional method described the amount of meterial examined took about 4 months to study. The sane tissue can be assessed in 1 day using the automatic apparatus. The high speed and close correlation achieved by the automatic procedure makes it a valuable aid in quantitative cell studies in the central nervous system.
D002452:Cell Count / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology*; D001330:Electronic Data Processing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010316:Particle Size; D010784:Photomicrography; D013690:Television