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Related Concept Videos

Neuron Structure01:30

Neuron Structure

Neurons are the main type of cell in the nervous system that generate and transmit electrochemical signals. They primarily communicate with each other using neurotransmitters at specific junctions called synapses. Neurons come in many shapes that often relate to their function, but most share three main structures: an axon and dendrites that extend out from a cell body.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

A Comparative Approach for Quantitative Cell Counting Studies in Widely Different Mammalian Brains
07:14

A Comparative Approach for Quantitative Cell Counting Studies in Widely Different Mammalian Brains

Published on: January 16, 2026

Neocortical glial cell numbers in human brains.

D P Pelvig1, H Pakkenberg, A K Stark

  • 1Research Laboratory for Stereology and Neuroscience, H:S Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Neurobiology of Aging
|June 5, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Human brain cell counts reveal aging impacts glial cells, with oligodendrocytes decreasing 27% and males having more neurons and glial cells than females.

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Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026

A Comparative Approach for Quantitative Cell Counting Studies in Widely Different Mammalian Brains
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Large-scale Three-dimensional Imaging of Cellular Organization in the Mouse Neocortex
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Large-scale Three-dimensional Imaging of Cellular Organization in the Mouse Neocortex

Published on: September 5, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Human Anatomy
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The human neocortex contains various cell types, including neurons and glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia).
  • Understanding age-related changes and sex differences in neocortical cell populations is crucial for neuroscience research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify neuron and glial cell numbers in the human neocortex across different ages and sexes.
  • To establish reference values for cell populations in quantitative neurobiology.

Main Methods:

  • Stereological cell counting was performed on post-mortem neocortical tissue from 31 healthy individuals (18-93 years old).
  • Cells were differentiated into astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and neurons, with counts analyzed across all four lobes.
  • Data were analyzed for age- and sex-related differences in cell populations.

Main Results:

  • Oligodendrocyte numbers decreased by 27% with age, correlating with total neuron count.
  • Astrocyte numbers remained constant throughout adulthood.
  • Males exhibited 28% more glial cells and 19% more neurons than females, with overall neocortical cell counts of 65.2 billion in males and 49.3 billion in females.

Conclusions:

  • Glial cell subpopulations exhibit distinct age-related dynamics in the human neocortex.
  • Significant sex differences exist in neocortical cell composition.
  • These findings provide essential reference data for quantitative studies of the human brain.