Sample size and statistical power in the hierarchical analysis of variance: applications in morphometry of the nervous system

Journal of Neuroscience Methods
G LeubaJ M Fritschy

Abstract

Analysis of variance is commonly used in morphometry in order to ascertain differences in parameters between several populations. Failure to detect significant differences between populations (type II error) may be due to suboptimal sampling and lead to erroneous conclusions; the concept of statistical power allows one to avoid such failures by means of an adequate sampling. Several examples are given in the morphometry of the nervous system, showing the use of the power of a hierarchical analysis of variance test for the choice of appropriate sample and subsample sizes. In the first case chosen, neuronal densities in the human visual cortex, we find the number of observations to be of little effect. For dendritic spine densities in the visual cortex of mice and humans, the effect is somewhat larger. A substantial effect is shown in our last example, dendritic segmental lengths in monkey lateral geniculate nucleus. It is in the nature of the hierarchical model that sample size is always more important than subsample size. The relative weight to be attributed to subsample size thus depends on the relative magnitude of the between observations variance compared to the between individuals variance.

References

Dec 15, 1979·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·M L Feldman, A Peters
Feb 15, 1977·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·D W Vaughan
Dec 31, 1975·Anatomy and Embryology·M L Feldman, C Dowd
Jul 1, 1989·Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine·N Jeanprêtre, R Kraftsik
Oct 1, 1986·Journal of Neuroscience Methods·H Braendgaard, H J Gundersen
Nov 1, 1983·Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology·G Leuba
Sep 1, 1983·Journal of Medical Education·T W Woolley
Jan 1, 1982·Experientia. Supplementum·K McPherson
Jan 1, 1981·Journal of Perinatal Medicine·R Terinde
Sep 1, 1981·Archives of Internal Medicine·S Schor
Nov 15, 1980·British Medical Journal·D G Altman

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 8, 1989·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·S ClarkeG M Innocenti
Feb 10, 1998·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·C R ScherzerA B Young
Aug 15, 1991·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·S Diáz-CintraP J Morgane
Feb 1, 1993·The Journal of Applied Bacteriology·P E TurpinE M Wellington
Apr 1, 1993·The Journal of Applied Bacteriology·P E TurpinE M Wellington
Feb 10, 1998·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·T J CounihanJ B Penney

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.