Table 1. Nuclear morphology of striatal neurons.
| Neuronal marker | Category | Nuclear diameter1 | Nuclear shape2 | TO-PRO-3 staining3 |
| DARPP-32 | A | 10–11 µm | Rounded | ≥3 scattered clumps, sharp nuclear limit with thin discontinuous peripheral line |
| Parvalbumin | B | 9–11 µm | Slightly elongated | 1–2 central clumps |
| Calretinin | C | 6–10 µm | Irregular rounded | 1 central clump |
| Somatostatin | D | 8–12 µm | Elliptic (axis ratio ≥1.5) | 1 central clump |
| ChAT | E | 10–13 µm | Irregular | Irregular staining with one or more clumps of various sizes |
1
Nuclear diameter is defined as the longest line that can cross the nucleus.
2
Nuclear shape is fixed by drawing the outline of the nucleus.
3
Refers to regions of intense TO-PRO-3 staining (clumps). The rest of the nucleus contains light staining.