Three-dimensional visualization of the distribution of melanin-concentrating hormone producing neurons in the mouse hypothalamus.

We present here a new procedure to represent the 3D distribution of neuronal cell bodies within the brain, using exclusively softwares free for research purposes. Our technique is based on digitalized photos of brain slices processed by immunohistochemical technique, and the 3D Slicer software. The technique presented enables transposition of immunohistochemical or in situ hybridization data to the stereotaxic mouse brain atlas (e.g. Paxinos, G., Franklin, K.B.J., 2001. The Mouse Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates. second ed. Academic Press, San Diego). By exporting the finalized models into a popular 3D design software (3DS Max) arbitrary environment and motion simulation can be created to improve the visual understanding of the area studied. Application of this technique provides the possibility to store, analyze and compare data - e.g. on the hypothalamic neuropeptides - across experimental techniques and laboratories. The method is exemplified by visualizing the distribution of immunohistochemically identified melanin-concetrating hormone (MCH) containing perikarya within the mouse hypothalamus.