METHODS FOR DETERMINING NUMBERS OF CELLS AND SYNAPSES - A CASE FOR MORE UNIFORM STANDARDS OF REVIEW

Neuron and synapse numbers are important assays in neuroscience. These numbers are estimated by one of four methods: 1) profile counts, 2) a ssumption-based methods, 3) serial reconstructions, and 4) stereologic al methods. The criteria for these methods are diverse. This creates a disparity in that some reviewers accept estimates from any of these m ethods, while others accept only specific methods. An equally importan t issue is the diversity of sampling strategies, since unbiased estima tes of neuronal or synaptic numbers are contingent upon both counting and sampling techniques. The purpose of this commentary is to institut e a dialog that will lead to a better understanding of the strengths a nd weaknesses of the above methods, and to propose guidelines that sho uld lead to more uniform and thus fairer judging of the studies that p rovide estimates of neuron or synapse numbers. In addition, adoption o f more uniform standards for obtaining unbiased numerical estimates sh ould result in the generation of an unbiased database that will be of considerable use in future studies. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.