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Subclassification of neurons in the subthalamic nucleus of the lesser bushbaby ( Galago senegalensis ): A quantitative Golgi study using principal components analysis
Author(s) -
Pearson J. C.,
Norris J. R.,
Phelps C. H.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.902380307
Subject(s) - soma , biology , nissl body , galago , dendritic spine , subthalamic nucleus , dendrite (mathematics) , neuroscience , neuron , anatomy , appendage , golgi apparatus , nucleus , microbiology and biotechnology , primate , hippocampal formation , staining , pathology , medicine , genetics , geometry , mathematics , disease , endoplasmic reticulum , parkinson's disease , deep brain stimulation
The morphology of neurons in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of the lesser bushbaby ( Galago senegalensis ) is described in coronal brain sections processed by Golgi‐ and Nissl‐staining techniques. Quantitative and statistical methods are used to evaluate (1) soma size and shape, (2) dendritic field size, shape, and branch frequency, (3) the number of dendritic and somatic spines per neuron, and (4) neuron location within the STN. Principal components analysis of these variables suggests that three classes of neurons are present. Two of these classes are considered to be projection cells, referred to as elongate‐fusiform and radiate neurons, respectively. Elongate fusiform neurons have somata and dendritic fields which are large in diameter, extremely fusiform in shape, and give rise to few appendages. Somata and dendritic fields of radiate neurons are smaller in diameter, more rounded in shape, and support more spines than the elongate‐fusiform neurons. The third class of cells in Galago STN is tentatively identified as consisting of interneurons on the basis of small soma and dendritic field size, thin and varicose dendritic morphology, and the presence of multilobulated dendritic appendages.