|
Eduardo Fernandenza, William D. Eldredb, Josef Ammermüllerc, Arthur Blockd, Werner von Blohd, and Helga Kolbe
Journal of Comparative Neurology 347, 397-408 (1994)
aInstitute of Neurosciences, University of Alicante, 03080 Spain
bDepartment of Biology, Boston University, Massachusetts
cDepartment of Neurobiology, University of Oldenburg, Germany
dDepartment of Physics, University of Oldenburg, Germany
eDepartment of Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
In the present study we have evaluated the complexity and scaling properties of
the morphology of retinal neurons using fractal dimension as quantitative parameter. We examined a large number of cells from Pseudomys scripta and
Mauremys caspica turtles that had been labeled using Golgi-impregnation
techniques, intracellular injection of Lucifer Yellow followed by photooxidation, intracellular injection of rhodamine conjugated horseradish peroxidase, or
intracellular injection of Lucifer Yellow or horseradish peroxidase alone.
The fractal dimensions of two-dimensional projections of the cells were calculated using a box counting method. Discriminant analysis revealed fractal dimension to be a significant classification parameter among several other parameters typically used for placing turtle retinal neurons in different cell classes. The fractal dimension of amacrine cells was significantly correlated with dendritic field parameters, while the fractal dimensions of ganglion cells did not vary
with dendritic field span. There were no significant differences between the
same cell types in two different turtle species, or between the same types of
neurons in the same species after labeling with different techniques. The application of fractal dimension, as a quantitative measure of complexity and scaling properties and as a classification criterion of neuronal types, appears to be
useful and may have wide applicability to other parts of the central nervous system.
Keywords: fractal, neurons
|