Re: measurement of axons diameter and area

Posted by Martin Wessendorf on Nov 28, 2006; 9:17pm
URL: http://imagej.273.s1.nabble.com/measurement-of-axons-diameter-and-area-tp3700920p3700923.html

Yu, K.L. wrote:

> Does anyone of you have experience measuring the diameter and area of myelinated axons of the spinal ventral roots? They were ultrathin sections (1um), stained with Toluidine blue and observed in light microscope. Is there an efficient way to measure them in an automatic scale?  I have problems to adjust the background threshold. I appreciate very much if you could share your protocol or opinions in the processing via ImageJ.

I won't address the image-analysis part of your question but you may
save yourself a lot of effort by not trying to measure all the
axons--just a random sample of them.  Check: CV Howard and Reed:
"Unbiased Stereology".  Bottom line: sampling is everything.  You get a
more accurate answer by counting a few (100-200) objects chosen in a
truly random fashion than a lot (thousands) of objects not chosen
randomly.

Good luck!

Martin Wessendorf


--
Martin Wessendorf, Ph.D.                   office: [phone]
Assoc Prof, Dept Neuroscience                 lab: [phone]
University of Minnesota             Preferred FAX: [phone]
6-145 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. SE    Dept Fax: [phone]
Minneapolis, MN  55455             E-mail: martinw[at]med.umn.edu