A method for 3D reconstruction of neuronal processes using semithin serial sections displayed as a cinematographic sequence.
In order to study the organization and distribution of dendrites and axons in the cerebral cortex, we have developed a computer-assisted method for 3D reconstruction of neuronal processes based on serial light microscopic images displayed as a continuous sequence. A series of tangential sections (0.65 micron thick) through rat parietal cortex was aligned, digitized into the computer and then used to build a sequence (stack) of images which was stored to a digital real-time video disk. Apical dendrites located in dendritic bundles in laminae III and IV were traced through the sequence. Two tracing modes were tested: (1) cinematographic mode, in which the image stack was displayed continuously and automatically by the computer at various preset speeds (max. speed: 25 images/s) and (2) stepping mode, in which the interval between each image was varied manually according to the choice of the operator. Coordinates were stored in a database and used to build a 3D reconstruction where apical dendrites were displayed as wires or tubes. Tracing in cinematographic mode was about 3 times faster than tracing in stepping mode. We believe that the former mode exploits the built in 'filtering' capacity of the visual system to perform temporal averaging.
Skoglund
T S
TS
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Göteborg, Sweden. skoglund@mednet.gu.se
Pascher
R
R
Berthold
C H
CH
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003712:Dendrites / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats