Automated Immunohistochemical Method to Analyze Large Areas of the Human Cortex

Publication date: Available online 7 November 2017
Source:Journal of Neuroscience Methods
Author(s): Mohamad Abbass, Kathleen Trought, David Long, Anton Semechko, Albert H.C. Wong
BackgroundThere have been inconsistencies in the histological abnormalities found in the cerebral cortex from patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. Discrepancies in previously published reports may arise from small sample sizes, inconsistent methodology and biased cell counting. NewMethodWe applied automated quantification of neuron density, neuron size and cortical layer thickness in vast regions of human cortex in psychiatric patients. This method accurately segments DAPI positive cells that are also stained with CUX2 and FEZF2. Cortical layer thickness, neuron density and neuron size were automatically computed for each cortical layer in numerous Brodmann areas.ResultsWe did not find pronounced cytoarchitectural abnormalities in the anterior cingulate cortex or orbitofrontal cortex in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder. Comparison with existing methods. There were no significant differences in layer thickness measured in immunohistochemically stained slides compared with traditional Nissl stained slides. Automated cell counts were correlated, reliable and consistent with manual counts, while being much less time-consuming.ConclusionWe demonstrate the validity of using a novel automated analysis approach to post-mortem brain tissue. We were able to analyze large cortical areas and quantify specific cell populations using immunohistochemical markers. Future analyses could benefit from efficient automated analysis.



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