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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number
18:11

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number

Published on: November 16, 2010

Quantifying synapses: an immunocytochemistry-based assay to quantify synapse number.

Dominic M Ippolito1, Cagla Eroglu

  • 1Department of Neurobiology, Duke University, USA.

Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|November 30, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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This study presents a reproducible immunocytochemistry protocol to quantify synapse number in neuronal cultures and brain sections. The method uses specific markers and ImageJ software for objective analysis of synaptic development.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Understanding molecular mechanisms of synapse formation is crucial in neuroscience.
  • Objective quantification of synaptic connectivity changes is needed for studying neural development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detail a protocol for quantifying synapse number in neuronal cultures and brain sections.
  • To provide a method applicable to various neural tissues with selective pre- and postsynaptic markers.

Main Methods:

  • Sample fixation followed by immunocytochemistry using compartment-specific antibodies.
  • Labeling presynaptic terminals and postsynaptic specialization sites.
  • Quantifying colocalization of pre- and postsynaptic markers using ImageJ software and the Puncta Analyzer plugin.

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Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices
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Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

Published on: October 6, 2017

Quantifying the Heterogeneous Distribution of a Synaptic Protein in the Mouse Brain Using Immunofluorescence
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Quantifying the Heterogeneous Distribution of a Synaptic Protein in the Mouse Brain Using Immunofluorescence

Published on: January 29, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number
18:11

Quantifying Synapses: an Immunocytochemistry-based Assay to Quantify Synapse Number

Published on: November 16, 2010

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices
07:44

Evaluation of Synapse Density in Hippocampal Rodent Brain Slices

Published on: October 6, 2017

Quantifying the Heterogeneous Distribution of a Synaptic Protein in the Mouse Brain Using Immunofluorescence
09:18

Quantifying the Heterogeneous Distribution of a Synaptic Protein in the Mouse Brain Using Immunofluorescence

Published on: January 29, 2019

Main Results:

  • A defined protocol for synapse quantification is established.
  • The method allows for objective measurement of synapse numbers.
  • The assay is versatile and can be applied to diverse neural preparations.

Conclusions:

  • This synapse assay is a valuable tool for studying synaptic development.
  • The protocol enables objective analysis of synaptic connectivity changes.
  • The method supports broad application in neuroscience research.