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Brain Structure and Function
Published in: Brain Structure and Function 4/2018

Open Access 01-05-2018 | Original Article

A three-dimensional stereotaxic atlas of the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) brain

Authors: Piotr Majka, Natalia Chlodzinska, Krzysztof Turlejski, Tomasz Banasik, Ruzanna L. Djavadian, Władysław P. Węglarz, Daniel K. Wójcik

Published in: Brain Structure and Function | Issue 4/2018

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Abstract

The gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) is a small marsupial gaining recognition as a laboratory animal in biomedical research. Despite numerous studies on opossum neuroanatomy, a consistent and comprehensive neuroanatomical reference for this species is still missing. Here we present the first three-dimensional, multimodal atlas of the Monodelphis opossum brain. It is based on four complementary imaging modalities: high resolution ex vivo magnetic resonance images, micro-computed tomography scans of the cranium, images of the face of the cutting block, and series of sections stained with the Nissl method and for myelinated fibers. Individual imaging modalities were reconstructed into a three-dimensional form and then registered to the MR image by means of affine and deformable registration routines. Based on a superimposition of the 3D images, 113 anatomical structures were demarcated and the volumes of individual regions were measured. The stereotaxic coordinate system was defined using a set of cranial landmarks: interaural line, bregma, and lambda, which allows for easy expression of any location within the brain with respect to the skull. The atlas is released under the Creative Commons license and available through various digital atlasing web services.
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Metadata
Title
A three-dimensional stereotaxic atlas of the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) brain
Authors
Piotr Majka
Natalia Chlodzinska
Krzysztof Turlejski
Tomasz Banasik
Ruzanna L. Djavadian
Władysław P. Węglarz
Daniel K. Wójcik
Publication date
01-05-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Brain Structure and Function / Issue 4/2018
Print ISSN: 1863-2653
Electronic ISSN: 1863-2661
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-017-1540-x

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