Quantifying neuronal size: summing up trees and splitting the branch difference

Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2008 Dec;19(6):485-93. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2008.08.005. Epub 2008 Aug 14.

Abstract

Neurons vary greatly in size, shape, and complexity depending on their underlying function. Overall size of neuronal trees affects connectivity, area of influence, and other biophysical properties. Relative distributions of neuronal extent, such as the difference between subtrees at branch points, are also critically related to function and activity. This review covers neuromorphological research that analyzes shape and size to elucidate their functional role for different neuron types. We also introduce a novel morphometric, "caulescence", capturing the extent to which trees exhibit a main path. Neuronal tree types differ vastly in caulescence, suggesting potential neurocomputational correlates of this property.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Size*
  • Models, Anatomic
  • Morphogenesis
  • Neurons / cytology*