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Published on: June 2, 2018
DGIST: A standardized image-based spatial quantification workflow for neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus
Jinhee Lee1, Wonyoung Lee2, Yoichi Kosodo1
1Neural Regeneration Lab, Neural Circuit Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea; Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Advances in Biological Regulation
|August 8, 2026
Summary
Quantifying adult neural stem cells (NSCs) in the hippocampus is crucial. A new tool, DGIST, offers accurate, whole-dentate gyrus cell counts, improving neurogenic potential assessment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- The adult hippocampus generates new neurons, a process involving neural stem cells (NSCs) in the dentate gyrus (DG).
- Accurate quantification of adult NSCs is vital for understanding neurogenic potential.
- Current methods for NSC quantification are often manual, region-specific, and prone to bias.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, automated workflow for precise cell-based quantification of adult NSCs and astroglial populations throughout the entire DG.
- To overcome limitations of existing manual and density-based measurement techniques.
Main Methods:
- Development of the Dentate Gyrus Image-based Spatial quantification Tool (DGIST), an ImageJ/Fiji workflow.
- Integration of BioVoxxel and MorphoLibJ plugins for comprehensive image analysis.
- Application of DGIST to in vivo datasets for quantifying marker-defined cell populations.
Main Results:
- DGIST enables cell-based quantification across the entire DG, mitigating bias from tissue variability.
- The tool successfully quantifies age-dependent changes in marker-defined NSC and astroglial populations.
- DGIST demonstrated reproducibility in quantifying cell populations within the adult neurogenic niche.
Conclusions:
- DGIST provides a robust and reproducible method for quantifying neural stem cells and related populations in the adult neurogenic niche.
- This tool enhances the assessment of neurogenic potential by enabling comprehensive analysis of the DG.
- DGIST represents a significant advancement for research in adult neurogenesis and hippocampal plasticity.
