Unbiased stereological estimates of neuron number in subcortical auditory nuclei of the rat.
The mammalian auditory system consists of a large number of cell groups, each containing its own complement of neuronal cell types. In recent years, much effort has been devoted to the quantitation of auditory neurons with common morphological, connectional, pharmacological or functional features. However, it is difficult to place these data into the proper quantitative perspective due to our lack of knowledge of the number of neurons contained within each auditory nucleus. To this end, we have employed unbiased stereological methods to estimate neuron number in the cochlear nuclei, superior olivary complex, lateral lemniscus, inferior colliculus and medial geniculate body. Additionally, we generated a three-dimensional model of the superior olivary complex. The utility of unbiased stereological estimates of auditory nuclei is discussed in the context of various experimental paradigms.
Departments of Otolaryngology, Neurobiology and Anatomy and Sensory Neuroscience Research Center, West Virginia University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 9200 Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA.
Randy J
RJ
Kulesza
Antonio
A
Viñuela
Enrique
E
Saldaña
Albert S
AS
Berrebi
D000818:Animals; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D017626:Cochlear Nucleus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005829:Geniculate Bodies / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007245:Inferior Colliculi / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009847:Olivary Nucleus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid