[Classification of nerve cell forms in lamina IV of the visual cortex of albino rats using Nissel preparation with the help of automatic picture processing].

1. Using the automatical picture processing device "MORPHOQUANT", VEB Carl Zeiss Jena, layer IV of the adult albino rat's area 17 was investigated in Nissl-preparations to classify pyramidal and stellate cells on the basis of quantitative features. 2) A review is given about the applied computer programme. 3) 30 seconds are necessary for adjustment, measurement and statistical calculation. 4) Five features per neuron soma were registered and statistical calculated: neuron area in picture points (KOFL), mean value of extinction (EXTM), total extinction (EXTS), shape (i.e. dia ratio, DMVH), and the distribution of strong coloured particles (i.e. centricity, ZNTR). 5) High statistical significance could be achieved only with regard to the neuron area and the distribution of strong coloured particles. 6) The causes for different results obtained in previous and present measurements and the importance of differentiation between several types of neurones are discussed as well.