A method for the study of the spatial distribution of the neuronal dendritic tree using a universal stage.
The use of a microscope equipped with a universal stage with 4 rotation axes, drawing tube and photographic system for the 3-dimensional study of neuronal morphology is considered. Two-dimensional projections of the neuronal tree are obtained by rotating the stage, and the application of coordinate transformations results in 3-dimensional mapping of neuronal topography. Algorithms used for these transformations are presented and the method applied to Golgi-impregnated neurons of the cerebral cortex of adult lizards. The advantages, limitations and sources of error of this method are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology*; D003712:Dendrites / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008116:Lizards; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D009474:Neurons / Q000648:ultrastructure*