The effects of salines and fixatives upon the size of an identified neuron

Because accurate neuronal dimensions are essential for mathematical modeling of neuronal properties, the effects of a number of salines and fixative procedures on neuronal size were compared, including the non-chemical, freeze substitution method. Using an identified neuron we compared diameters and found some of the fixative-saline combinations caused shrinkage by as much as a factor of four from our best estimates of the in vivo size from the quick frozen preparations. A glutaraldehyde based fixation procedure was found which gives results in good agreement with the frozen tissue.