The Optical Fractionator Technique to Estimate Cell Numbers in a Rat Model of Electroconvulsive TherapyMikkel Vestergaard Olesen 1, Esther Kjær Needham 1, Bente Pakkenberg 1,2
1Research Laboratory for Stereology and Neuroscience, Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg Hospital, 2Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen
Here, we present a stereological method, the optical fractionator, used to quantify the formation of new neurons, and their survival, in the rat hippocampus following electroconvulsive stimulation. When correctly implemented, the sensitivity and efficiency of stereological methods ensures accurate estimates with a fixed and predetermined precision.
