Eur J Anat, 1 (1): 13-22 (1997)

Characterization of retinal ganglion cells by quantitative analysis of dendritic morphology in the rat

A. Aschoff

Institut für medizinische Psychologie, University of Magdeburg, Leipzigerstr. 44, D-39120 Magdeburg, Germany.

ABSTRACT With intracellular injection of lucifer yellow into retinal ganglion cells of the rat and subsequent morphometric and statistical analysis we attempted ro classify different morphological types of ganglion ce11s. Cluster analysis of a11morphome­ trie data, including soma and dendritic field size, total and segmental length of dendrites, bran­ ching angles and segment number revealecl several clusters. In each cluster various cell types, as judged subjectively by morphological criteria were present. However, morphological types within one cluster were never found in another cluster. Thus objective classification of single ganglion cell types by our morphometric criteria only is not possible. However, different classes of ganglion cells can be objectively sepa­ rated and further analyzed.

Keywords: Retina, dendrites, rat, cluster analy­sis, morphometry.