Multifractal Analysis of Neuronal Morphology in the Human Dorsal Striatum: Age-Related Changes and Spatial Differences

Abstract

Multifractal analysis offers a sophisticated method to examine the complex morphology of neurons, which traditionally have been analyzed using monofractal techniques. This study investigates the multifractal properties of two-dimensional neuron projections from the human dorsal striatum, focusing on potential morphological changes related to aging and differences based on spatial origin within the nucleus. Using multifractal spectra, we analyzed various parameters, including generalized dimensions and Hölder exponents, to characterize the neurons’ morphology. Despite the detailed analysis, no significant correlation was found between neuronal morphology and age. However, clear morphological differences were observed between neurons from the caudate nucleus and the putamen. Neurons from the putamen displayed higher morphological complexity and greater local homogeneity, while those from the caudate nucleus exhibited more scaling laws and higher local heterogeneity. These findings suggest that while age may not significantly impact neuronal morphology in the dorsal striatum, the spatial origin within this brain region plays a crucial role in determining neuronal structure. Further studies with larger samples are recommended to confirm these findings and to explore the full potential of multifractal analysis in neuronal morphology research.