Figure 1.

Semi-automated reconstruction of a Layer 5 pyramidal neuron filled with biocytin in vivo. (A) Mosaic scanning and subsequent serial reconstruction is performed on consecutive 100 µm thick tangential sections, which results in high resolution 3D images representing cubic millimeters of cortical volumes. The consecutive slices are aligned by using blood vessels that run perpendicular to the cortical surface. (B) Magnification of the area indicated by the asterisk. Note the abundant axons running through this area. (C) Automated detection of biocytin labeled processes allows fast and reliable reconstruction of axonal morphology. Axonal reconstructions from additional Z values are also visible in this part. (D) Example images of a single axonal branch labeled with biocytin and (E) the subsequent automated reconstruction.