Stereological methods for estimating the total number of neurons and synapses: issues of precision and bias - PubMed (original) (raw)
Review
Stereological methods for estimating the total number of neurons and synapses: issues of precision and bias
M J West. Trends Neurosci. 1999 Feb.
Abstract
The emergence of a new generation of stereological techniques for counting objects in histological sections has prompted a debate about whether or not these methods are better than previously available techniques when they are used to make estimates of the total numbers of neurons and synapses in a neural structure. During this debate, the concepts of an unbiased estimate and that of a precise estimate have often been confused. A full understanding of the distinction between these two separate aspects of an estimate is required in order to be able to appreciate the virtues of these new counting methods and to apply them correctly. This review intends to make the fundamental issues of this debate more clear, and describes (1) the fundamental differences between the newer design-based counting techniques and previously available assumption-based techniques, and (2) the distinction between an unbiased estimate and a precise estimate.
Comment in
- Trends Neurosci. 1999 Aug;22(8):345-6
- Unbiased stereology?
Hedreen JC. Hedreen JC. Trends Neurosci. 1999 Aug;22(8):346-7. doi: 10.1016/s0166-2236(99)01431-9. Trends Neurosci. 1999. PMID: 10407418 No abstract available. - 2-D versus 3-D cell counting--a debate. What is an optical disector?
West MJ, Slomanka L. West MJ, et al. Trends Neurosci. 2001 Jul;24(7):374; author reply 378-80. doi: 10.1016/s0166-2236(00)01832-4. Trends Neurosci. 2001. PMID: 11467286 No abstract available. - Commentary of the paper by Benes and Lange.
Coggeshall RE. Coggeshall RE. Trends Neurosci. 2001 Jul;24(7):376-7; author reply 378-80. doi: 10.1016/s0166-2236(00)01890-7. Trends Neurosci. 2001. PMID: 11467288 No abstract available. - Advanced use of 3-D methods for counting neurons.
Schmitz C, Korr H, Perl DP, Hof PR. Schmitz C, et al. Trends Neurosci. 2001 Jul;24(7):377-80. doi: 10.1016/s0166-2236(00)01834-8. Trends Neurosci. 2001. PMID: 11467289 No abstract available. - Comparison of 2-D and 3-D counting: the need for calibration and common sense.
von Bartheld CS. von Bartheld CS. Trends Neurosci. 2001 Sep;24(9):504-6. doi: 10.1016/s0166-2236(00)01960-3. Trends Neurosci. 2001. PMID: 11550662 No abstract available.
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