title: A microcomputer system for measuring neuron properties from digitized images.
abstract: A microcomputer system has been developed for the quantitative analysis of neurons, synapses, and other biological profiles. The outlines of profiles are traced from micrographs using a digitizer. From these traces, the system calculates cross-sectional area, perimeter (length), average diameter, and form factor. Data values for the number of profile contacts, the number of elements within a profile, the number of elements associated with a profile, profile type, and profile depth are also entered. The program calculates contact and element densities from these values. The data are printed-out on a thermal printer and stored on magnetic tape or floppy disk. The software is written entirely in BASIC. The system uses commercially available hardware, including a Hewlett-Packard 9845T microcomputer and H-P 9874A digitizer. The programs can be adapted to a wide variety of other microcomputer systems.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002415:Cats; D003201:Computers; D008838:Microcomputers; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009474:Neurons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012160:Retina / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012984:Software; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013569:Synapses / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology