Abstract: It is intended to propose a technique whereby a nerve cell is morphologically analyzed automatically based on a three-dimensional image of the nerve cell. First, a dendritic projection is traced by using the scale space method. In this step, irregularities are reduced by using the ?-convolution smoothing method and thus the center line of the dendritic projection is identified. Next, a negative curvature is searched for by the Hess tensor method. The part corresponding to the negative curvature in all coordinate axes is judged as the area occupied by “heads”. The center of this area (heads) is referred to as the spine position. Approximation is made on the assumption that the spine head has an ellipsoidal shape. Thus, the minor diameter, medium diameter and major diameter of the ellipsoid are calculated. From the spine position, a perpendicular line is dropped toward the dendritic projection closest thereto and this perpendicular line is considered as the column part.

Abstract: It is intended to propose a technique whereby a nerve cell is morphologically analyzed automatically based on a three-dimensional image of the nerve cell. First, a dendritic projection is traced by using the scale space method. In this step, irregularities are reduced by using the ?-convolution smoothing method and thus the center line of the dendritic projection is identified. Next, a negative curvature is searched for by the Hess tensor method. The part corresponding to the negative curvature in all coordinate axes is judged as the area occupied by “heads”. The center of this area (heads) is referred to as the spine position. Approximation is made on the assumption that the spine head has an ellipsoidal shape. Thus, the minor diameter, medium diameter and major diameter of the ellipsoid are calculated. From the spine position, a perpendicular line is dropped toward the dendritic projection closest thereto and this perpendicular line is considered as the column part.

Abstract: There is provided a rapid and simple screening method of a substance with an antidepressant action.

Abstract: There is provided a method for a quick and easy evaluation of a substance which is an object of evaluation for its endocrine disruptive action. An evaluating method according to the present invention is a method for the evaluation of endocrine disruptive action which is characterized in comprising a step where the object substance is brought into contact with a cell group in which an electrode is arranged, a step where an agonist to a hormone receptor is brought into contact as a comparative substance with a cell group in which an electrode is arranged, and a measuring step where electrophysiological responses in the cell groups are measured via the electrode before and after contacting the object substance and before and after contacting the comparative substance, respectively.