title: Software implementation of statistical methods for the analysis of structure and patterns in neuroanatomical objects.
abstract: Neuroanatomical research has greatly benefited from the availability of a large number of cell-specific and region-specific molecular markers. In fact, the analysis of spatial patterns of gene expression in individual cells or patterns within cell populations often provides an inroad into understanding the functional significance of distinct structures. However, it can be difficult to discern whether the arrangement of different morphologically or biochemically defined structures represents a defined pattern. To address this issue, we adapted a series of established statistical procedures for the analysis of uni- and bivariate point patterns in histological specimens. We implemented these statistical procedures in an easy-to-use computer program. The methods are scale independent and easy to expand for various applications. The utility of this approach is demonstrated with examples from tissue sections and cultured cells at the light and electron microscopical levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89069, Ulm, Germany. baader.2@osu.edu
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Baader
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Baader
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schilling
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009218:Myosins / Q000032:analysis; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012984:Software
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D009218:Myosins