The formation of precise numbers of neuronal connections, known as synapses, is crucial for brain function. Therefore, synaptogenesis mechanisms have been one of the main focuses of cellular and molecular neuroscience. Immunohistochemistry is a common tool for labeling and visualization of synapses. Thus, quantifying the numbers of synapses from light microscopy images enables screening the impacts of experimental manipulations on synapse development. Despite its utility, this approach is paired with low throughput image analysis methods that are challenging to learn, and results are variable between experimenters. We developed a new open-source ImageJ-based software, SynBot, to address these technical bottlenecks by automating several stages of the analysis. SynBot incorporates the advanced algorithms ilastik and SynQuant for accurate thresholding for synaptic puncta identification, and the code can easily be modified by users. The use of this software will allow for rapid and reproducible screening of synaptic phenotypes in healthy and diseased nervous systems.
Motivation: Light microscopy imaging of pre- and post-synaptic proteins from neurons in tissue or in vitro allows for the effective identification of synaptic structures. Previous methods for quantitative analysis of these images were time-consuming, required extensive user training, and the source code could not be easily modified. Here, we describe SynBot, a new open-source tool that automates the synapse quantification process, decreases the requirement for user training, and allows for easy modifications to the code.