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The goal of the NeuroStereology
Workshop is to teach a small group of research scientists how to
design, supervise, and critically evaluate stereological studies
of the nervous system. Stereology is a methodology that provides
meaningful quantitative descriptions of the geometry of three-dimensional
structures from measurements that are made on two-dimensional images
sampled from a structure of interest. The workshop will emphasize
modern “design-based” stereology, which is characterized
by the preparation and probing of tissue in such a manner that no
assumptions about the size, shape, and orientation of the structures
being quantified are necessary.
Unlike previously available methods, these newer methods produce
accurate and robust estimates of total quantities, such as number,
length, area, and volume. Because of the enhanced power of the data
obtained with these methods, they have recently made important contributions
to our understanding of the changes in the structure of the brain
related to aging and disease and are rapidly becoming the standards
required by journals and granting agencies.
The mathematical basis and practical application of these methods
will be presented through a series of lectures, practical exercises,
demonstrations, and critical evaluations of individual projects.
Particular emphasis will be placed on design based, stereological
methods that have particular relevance to the study of the nervous
system, such as estimates of: (1) the numbers of neurons and synapses,
the length of axons and capillaries, and the volumes of brain regions,
layers; (2) the volumes and spatial arrangement of individual cells
and pathological entities.
The target audience is neuroscience researchers, including graduate
students, postdocs, and senior scientists who are interested in
the practical application of design-based stereological methods.
The number of participants will be limited to 30 to ensure robust
faculty-student interaction.
For additional information
and registration form, please visit the Workshop
Homepage.
2008 Course Faculty & Lecturers:
Mark West, Ph.D., Dr. Med.Sci, University of Aarhus
Lutz Slomianka, Ph.D., University of Zurich
Juan Troncoso, M.D., Johns Hopkins University
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