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Postmortem Analysis of Neuron
Distributions in the Locus Coeruleus
of Alcoholics and Suicidal Victims
Donna K. Pauler
Abstract:
We investigate neuron distribution and morphology of the human locus
coeruleus (LC) in four groups of subjects: controls, suicidal
non-alcoholics, non-suicidal alcoholics, and suicidal alcoholics. The
data consist of postmortem neuron measurements, counts, and spatial
coordinates from the brainstem LC of 32 subjects. These measurements
were collected by Dr. Victoria Arango and Dr. Mark Underwood of the
Laboratories of Neuropharmacology at the Western Psychiatric Institute
and Clinic of the University of Pittsburgh. The analysis consists of
three parts: a quantification of group effects on neuron size and
shape, a quantification of group effects on total neuron count, and a
study of the spatial distribution of neurons within the LC.
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