A FAIR, open-source virtual reality platform for dendritic spine analysis.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 39568639.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1016/j.patter.2024.101041 and PMC identifier 11573899.
- Licence recorded as CC BY-NC-ND.
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Abstract
Neuroanatomy is fundamental to understanding the nervous system, particularly dendritic spines, which are vital for synaptic transmission and change in response to injury or disease. Advancements in imaging have allowed for detailed three-dimensional (3D) visualization of these structures. However, existing tools for analyzing dendritic spine morphology are limited. To address this, we developed an open-source virtual reality (VR) structural analysis software ecosystem (coined "VR-SASE") that offers a powerful, intuitive approach for analyzing dendritic spines. Our validation process confirmed the method's superior accuracy, outperforming recognized gold-standard neural reconstruction techniques. Importantly, the VR-SASE workflow automatically calculates key morphological metrics, such as dendritic spine length, volume, and surface area, and reliably replicates established datasets from published dendritic spine studies. By integrating the Neurodata Without Borders (NWB) data standard, VR-SASE datasets can be preserved/distributed through DANDI Archives, satisfying the NIH data sharing mandate.