Structure of the axon initial segment of mouse striatal and cerebellar neurons

We have analyzed the structural organization of the axon initial segment (AIS) of the main populations of striatal and cerebellar neurons, using immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy and 3D reconstruction techniques (Imaris software). In the striatum we measured the length, mean diameter and surface area of the AIS of D1 and D2 projection neurons and of neuronal populations expressing Choline acetyltransferase (Chat), calretinin (CR), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) parvalbumin (PV) and neuropeptide-Y (NPY). In addition, the same AIS morphological parameters were measured in Stellate, Basket, Purkinje, Golgi and Granular neurons of the mouse cerebellum. Data will be useful to modeling and integration of anatomical data with functional studies in these brain regions.