title: Quantitative histological evaluation of neuroprotective compounds.
abstract: The application of quantitative morphometric methods to neurotoxicology is a relatively recent endeavor, and appropriate techniques are still evolving. However, such methods are essential for subsequent use of neurohistological data in mathematical representations of the risk of exposure to neurotoxicants. It can be predicted that the same methods will also be of great utility in studies of the efficacy of neuroprotective drugs. When the neuropathological conditions to be prevented or reversed are best monitored by neurohistology, quantitative morphometry should be considered as the most direct means to demonstrate the efficacy of a neuroprotective agent. Initially, a decision to choose the most appropriate histological procedure must be made. The rationale for such decisions with regard to several common histochemical techniques was discussed. The appropriate stereological and statistical considerations to be addressed by the sampling strategy were also presented. It is anticipated that quantitative morphometric methods will play an increasingly important role in the evaluation of the efficacy and toxicity of neuroactive compounds.
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents