Morphometric differences between basket cells and stellate cells of rat neocerebellum (Crus I and Crus II).

A morphometric analysis is carried out on neocerebellar molecular interneurons (basket cells and stellate cells). Statistically significant differences in data concerning perikaryon volume, perikaryon surface and intracellular organelle composition (volume densities and absolute volumes) are found. There are also qualitative and quantitative differences in the organization of synaptic contacts on the perikaryon surface. The encountered diversity justifies that each class of interneuron should be designated with a specific name.