PlumX Metrics
Embed PlumX Metrics

Chapter 13 Neuron Death in Vertebrate Development: In Vivo Methods

Methods in Cell Biology, ISSN: 0091-679X, Vol: 46, Issue: C, Page: 277-321
1995
  • 188
    Citations
  • 0
    Usage
  • 25
    Captures
  • 0
    Mentions
  • 0
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

  • Citations
    188
    • Citation Indexes
      188
  • Captures
    25

Article Description

The study of neuronal death involves demonstrating that it occurs in a given situation, estimating the magnitude and timing of the loss, evaluating which particular neurons die, analyzing why and how they die, and understanding the role or purpose of the loss. A wide range of methods is available for achieving these ends; most involve the use of histological sections, although biochemical analysis of homogenized tissue can also provide useful information. Counting healthy neurons in histological sections is the most direct and widely used method for estimating the number of neurons that die, and the timing of their loss. Because most cases of neuronal death occur in postmitotic populations, there is rarely any need to consider complex tissue kinetics; the number of neurons lost is simply the initial number minus the final number in a defined population. However, the fact that subtraction is used makes the final estimation of neuronal death highly sensitive to errors in the estimations of total neuronal number. To meet the high standards of accuracy that are required in counting healthy neurons, it is essential to avoid two main sources of error: those because of inadequate definition of the population to be counted and those in counting.

Provide Feedback

Have ideas for a new metric? Would you like to see something else here?Let us know