Journal Article

Automated Three-Dimensional Detection and Shape Classification of Dendritic Spines from Fluorescence Microscopy Images

Dickstein, Dara L., Hof, Patrick R., Rodriguez, Alfredo, Ehlenberger, Douglas B., Wearne, Susan L.

2008

Overview

A fundamental challenge in understanding how dendritic spine morphology controls learning and memory has been quantifying three-dimensional (3D) spine shapes with sufficient precision to distinguish morphologic types, and sufficient throughput for robust statistical analysis. The necessity to analyze large volumetric data sets accurately, efficiently, and in true 3D has been a major bottleneck in deriving reliable relationships between altered neuronal function and changes in spine morphology. We introduce a novel system for automated detection, shape analysis and classification of dendritic spines from laser scanning microscopy (LSM) images that directly addresses these limitations. The system is more accurate, and at least an order of magnitude faster, than existing technologies. By operating fully in 3D the algorithm resolves spines that are undetectable with standard two-dimensional (2D) tools. Adaptive local thresholding, voxel clustering and Rayburst Sampling generate a profile of diameter estimates used to classify spines into morphologic types, while minimizing optical smear and quantization artifacts. The technique opens new horizons on the objective evaluation of spine changes with synaptic plasticity, normal development and aging, and with neurodegenerative disorders that impair cognitive function.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Aging / Algorithms / Animals / Automation / Cell Polarity / Cell Shape / Classification / Clustering / Cognitive ability / Computational Biology/Computational Neuroscience / Computer graphics / Confocal microscopy / Data processing / Dendritic spines / Dendritic Spines - classification / Dendritic structure / Developmental plasticity / Fluorescence / Fluorescence microscopy / Image classification / Image detection / Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Laboratories / Learning / Male / Medicine / Memory / Methods / Mice / Mice, Inbred C57BL / Microscopy / Microscopy, Fluorescence - methods / Morphology / Neurobiology / Neurodegenerative diseases / Neurons / Neurophysiology / Neuroscience/Theoretical Neuroscience / Neurosciences / Reproducibility of Results / Scanning microscopy / Shape memory / Smear / Spine / Statistical analysis / Statistical analysis of data / Synaptic plasticity / Synaptogenesis