Morpho-quantitative stereological analysis of peripheral and optic nerve fibers

Abstract

Morpho-quantitative stereological assessment of nerve fibers is a main research task in various biomedical disciplines, includin neuroanatomy, neuropathology, neurosurgery and reconstructive microsurgery. In this paper, we will critically outline th modern approaches for nerve fiber quantitative assessment based on design-based 2D stereology and describe the princip; morphological indicators of function loss and recovery that can be quantitatively assessed. Yet, the pros and cons of the mai morphological techniques for investigating the structure and ultrastructure of axons in the peripheral nerves as well as in th optic nerve are given in appendix. This paper is directed towards all those basic and clinical researchers who wish to undertak the histomorphometrical study of peripheral and optic nerve in choosing the best morphological methods to meet their scientifi goals.