Efficient three-dimensional reconstruction of synapse with high-voltage electron microscopy

J Electron Microsc (Tokyo). 2005 Apr;54(2):139-41. doi: 10.1093/jmicro/dfi002. Epub 2005 May 24.

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3-D) information on nervous tissue is essential for the understanding of brain function. Especially, 3-D synaptic analyses on serial ultrathin sections with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have contributed to the knowledge on neural plasticity associated with various pathophysiological conditions. The 3-D reconstruction procedures, however, not only require a great amount of expertise but also include time-consuming processes. Here, we carried out computer-assisted 3-D reconstruction of parallel fibre-Purkinje cell synapses based on 250 nm serial sections using high-voltage electron microscopy (HVEM). The 3-D synapse models were constructed more efficiently and rapidly compared with conventional serial TEM reconstruction. This result suggests that 3-D reconstruction with thicker sections and HVEM is a useful method to study synaptic connectivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cerebellum / ultrastructure
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / methods
  • Models, Biological
  • Purkinje Cells / ultrastructure
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Synapses / ultrastructure*