Robert Brandt

Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Land Berlin, Germany

Are you Robert Brandt?

Claim your profile

Publications (15)37.63 Total impact

  • Source
    Article: The HoneyBee Standard Brain (HSB) – a versatile atlas tool for integrating data and data exchange in the neuroscience community
    BMC Neuroscience. 01/2009;
  • Source
    Chapter: Quo Vadis , Atlas-Based Segmentation?
    04/2007: pages 435-486;
  • Source
    Article: Three-dimensional average-shape atlas of the honeybee brain and its applications.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The anatomical substrates of neural nets are usually composed from reconstructions of neurons that were stained in different preparations. Realistic models of the structural relationships between neurons require a common framework. Here we present 3-D reconstructions of single projection neurons (PN) connecting the antennal lobe (AL) with the mushroom body (MB) and lateral horn, groups of intrinsic mushroom body neurons (type 5 Kenyon cells), and a single mushroom body extrinsic neuron (PE1), aiming to compose components of the olfactory pathway in the honeybee. To do so, we constructed a digital standard atlas of the bee brain. The standard atlas was created as an average-shape atlas of 22 neuropils, calculated from 20 individual immunostained whole-mount bee brains. After correction for global size and positioning differences by repeatedly applying an intensity-based nonrigid registration algorithm, a sequence of average label images was created. The results were qualitatively evaluated by generating average gray-value images corresponding to the average label images and judging the level of detail within the labeled regions. We found that the first affine registration step in the sequence results in a blurred image because of considerable local shape differences. However, already the first nonrigid iteration in the sequence corrected for most of the shape differences among individuals, resulting in images rich in internal detail. A second iteration improved on that somewhat and was selected as the standard. Registering neurons from different preparations into the standard atlas reveals 1) that the m-ACT neuron occupies the entire glomerulus (cortex and core) and overlaps with a local interneuron in the cortical layer; 2) that, in the MB calyces and the lateral horn of the protocerebral lobe, the axon terminals of two identified m-ACT neurons arborize in separate but close areas of the neuropil; and 3) that MB-intrinsic clawed Kenyon cells (type 5), with somata outside the calycal cups, project to the peduncle and lobe output system of the MB and contact (proximate) the dendritic tree of the PE1 neuron at the base of the vertical lobe. Thus the standard atlas and the procedures applied for registration serve the function of creating realistic neuroanatomical models of parts of a neural net. The Honeybee Standard Brain is accessible at www.neurobiologie.fu-berlin.de/beebrain.
    The Journal of Comparative Neurology 12/2005; 492(1):1-19. · 3.81 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Honey bees navigate according to a map-like spatial memory.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: By using harmonic radar, we report the complete flight paths of displaced bees. Test bees forage at a feeder or are recruited by a waggle dance indicating the feeder. The flights are recorded after the bees are captured when leaving the hive or the feeder and are released at an unexpected release site. A sequence of behavioral routines become apparent: (i) initial straight flights in which they fly the course that they were on when captured (foraging bees) or that they learned during dance communication (recruited bees); (ii) slow search flights with frequent changes of direction in which they attempt to "get their bearings"; and (iii) straight and rapid flights directed either to the hive or first to the feeding station and then to the hive. These straight homing flights start at locations all around the hive and at distances far out of the visual catchment area around the hive or the feeding station. Two essential criteria of a map-like spatial memory are met by these results: bees can set course at any arbitrary location in their familiar area, and they can choose between at least two goals. This finding suggests a rich, map-like organization of spatial memory in navigating honey bees.
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 03/2005; 102(8):3040-5. · 9.68 Impact Factor
  • Article: Evaluation of Atlas Selection Strategies for
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: This paper evaluates strategies for atlas selection in atlas-based segmentation of three-dimensional biomedical images. Segmentation by intensity-based non-rigid registration to atlas images is applied to confocal microscopy images acquired from the brains of 20 bees. This paper evaluates and compares four di#erent approaches for atlas image selection: registration to an individual atlas image (IND), registration to an average shape atlas image (AVG), registration to the most similar image from a database of individual atlas images (SIM), and registration to all images from a database of individual atlas images with subsequent multi-classifier decision fusion (MUL). The MUL strategy is a novel application of multi-classifier techniques, which are common in pattern recognition, to atlas-based segmentation. For each atlas selection strategy, the segmentation performance of the algorithm was quantified by means of the similarity index between the automatic segmentation result and a manually generated gold standard.
    10/2004;
  • Source
    Article: Evaluation of atlas selection strategies for atlas-based image segmentation with application to confocal microscopy images of bee brains.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: This paper evaluates strategies for atlas selection in atlas-based segmentation of three-dimensional biomedical images. Segmentation by intensity-based nonrigid registration to atlas images is applied to confocal microscopy images acquired from the brains of 20 bees. This paper evaluates and compares four different approaches for atlas image selection: registration to an individual atlas image (IND), registration to an average-shape atlas image (AVG), registration to the most similar image from a database of individual atlas images (SIM), and registration to all images from a database of individual atlas images with subsequent multi-classifier decision fusion (MUL). The MUL strategy is a novel application of multi-classifier techniques, which are common in pattern recognition, to atlas-based segmentation. For each atlas selection strategy, the segmentation performance of the algorithm was quantified by the similarity index (SI) between the automatic segmentation result and a manually generated gold standard. The best segmentation accuracy was achieved using the MUL paradigm, which resulted in a mean similarity index value between manual and automatic segmentation of 0.86 (AVG, 0.84; SIM, 0.82; IND, 0.81). The superiority of the MUL strategy over the other three methods is statistically significant (two-sided paired t test, P < 0.001). Both the MUL and AVG strategies performed better than the best possible SIM and IND strategies with optimal a posteriori atlas selection (mean similarity index for optimal SIM, 0.83; for optimal IND, 0.81). Our findings show that atlas selection is an important issue in atlas-based segmentation and that, in particular, multi-classifier techniques can substantially increase the segmentation accuracy.
    NeuroImage 04/2004; 21(4):1428-42. · 5.89 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Hydroxyurea-induced partial mushroom body ablation does not affect acquisition and retention of olfactory differential conditioning in honeybees.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The mushroom bodies (MBs), a paired structure in the insect brain, play a major role in storing and retrieving olfactory memories. We tested whether olfactory learning and odor processing is impaired in honeybees in which MB subunits were partially ablated. Using hydroxyurea (HU) to selectively kill proliferating cells, we created honeybees with varying degrees of MB lesions. Three-dimensional reconstructions of brains were generated to analyze the drug-induced morphological changes. These reconstructions show that, with few exceptions, only the MBs were affected by the drug, while other brain areas remained morphometrically intact. Typically, lesions affected only the MB in one hemisphere of the brain. To preclude HU-induced physiologic deficits in the antennal lobe (AL) affecting olfactory learning, we measured the responses to odors in the AL using an in vivo calcium imaging approach. The response patterns did not differ between the AL of intact versus ablated brain sides within respective specimens. We, therefore, carried out side-specific classical discriminative olfactory conditioning of the proboscis extension reflex (PER) with control bees and with HU-treated bees with or without MB ablations. All experimental groups learned equally to discriminate and respond to a rewarded (CS+) but not to an unrewarded (CS-) conditioned stimulus during acquisition and retention tests. Thus, our results indicate that partial MB lesions do not affect this form of elemental olfactory learning.
    Journal of Neurobiology 12/2002; 53(3):343-60. · 3.05 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Digital atlases of the antennal lobe in two species of tobacco budworm moths, the Oriental Helicoverpa assulta (male) and the American Heliothis virescens (male and female).
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The antennal lobe of the moth brain is the primary olfactory center processing information about pheromones and plant odors. We present here a digital atlas of the glomerular antennal lobe structures in the male of Helicoverpa assulta and the male and female of Heliothis virescens, based on synaptic antibody staining combined with confocal microscopy. The numbers of the glomeruli in the three specimens were similar, 65, 66, and 62, respectively. Whereas the male antennal lobe has a macroglomerular complex consisting of three and four units in the two species, the female lobe has two enlarged glomeruli at a corresponding position, near the entrance of the antennal nerve. Another large glomerulus, showing homology in the three specimens, is ventrally located. The small size of the heliothine moths is advantageous for confocal microscopy because the entire brain can be visualized as a single image stack. The maps are freely accessible on the internet, and the digital form of the data allows each atlas to be rotated and sectioned at any angle, providing for the identification of glomeruli in different preparations.
    The Journal of Comparative Neurology 05/2002; 446(2):123-34. · 3.81 Impact Factor
  • Article: Digital atlases of the antennal lobe in two species of tobacco budworm moths, the oriental Helicoverpa assulta (male) and the American Heliothis virescens (male and female)
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The antennal lobe of the moth brain is the primary olfactory center processing information about pheromones and plant odors. We present here a digital atlas of the glomerular antennal lobe structures in the male of Helicoverpa assulta and the male and female of Heliothis virescens, based on synaptic antibody staining combined with confocal microscopy. The numbers of the glomeruli in the three specimens were similar, 65, 66, and 62, respectively. Whereas the male antennal lobe has a macroglomerular complex consisting of three and four units in the two species, the female lobe has two enlarged glomeruli at a corresponding position, near the entrance of the antennal nerve. Another large glomerulus, showing homology in the three specimens, is ventrally located. The small size of the heliothine moths is advantageous for confocal microscopy because the entire brain can be visualized as a single image stack. The maps are freely accessible on the internet, and the digital form of the data allows each atlas to be rotated and sectioned at any angle, providing for the identification of glomeruli in different preparations. J. Comp. Neurol. 446:123–134, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
    The Journal of Comparative Neurology 04/2002; 446(2):123 - 134. · 3.81 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Colour thresholds and receptor noise: behaviour and physiology compared
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Photoreceptor noise sets an absolute limit for the accuracy of colour discrimination. We compared colour thresholds in the honeybee (Apis mellifera) with this limit. Bees were trained to discriminate an achromatic stimulus from monochromatic lights of various wavelengths as a function of their intensity. Signal-to-noise ratios were measured by intracellular recordings in the three spectral types of photoreceptor cells. To model thresholds we assumed that discrimination was mediated by opponent mechanisms whose performance was limited by receptor noise. Most of the behavioural thresholds were close to those predicted from receptor signal-to-noise ratios, suggesting that colour discrimination in honeybees is affected by photoreceptor noise. Some of the thresholds were lower than this theoretical limit, which indicates summation of photoreceptor cell signals.
    Vision Research 04/2001; · 2.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: Discrimination of coloured stimuli by honeybees: alternative use of achromatic and chromatic signals
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Using a Y-maze experimental set-up, honeybees Apis mellifera were trained to a coloured disc presented against an achromatic background. In subsequent tests they were given a choice between the trained disc and an alternative disc that differed either in its chromatic properties, or in the amount of achromatic green contrast that it produced against the background. Tests were conducted in two experimental situations: one in which discs subtended a visual angle of 30° (as viewed by the bee at the decision point in the Y-maze), and another in which the angle was 6.5° or 5° (depending on the experiment). At the visual angle of 30°, the bees' choice behaviour was governed by the differences in chromatic properties, and not by the differences in the amount of green contrast. With the 6.5°- and 5°-discs, on the other hand, it was governed by the differences in the amount of green contrast, and not by the differences in chromatic properties. Consequently, in the present discrimination task, bees use either chromatic or achromatic cues, depending on the visual angle subtended by the stimuli at the eye. Results of a further experiment, in which the trained disc was tested against discs that produced various amounts of green contrast, confirm the above conclusion and show, in addition, that bees learn the green-contrast difference between a trained and a non-rewarded alternative.
    Journal of Comparative Physiology 01/1997; 180(3):235-243. · 2.01 Impact Factor
  • Article: Digital Atlases of the Antennal Lobe in Two Species of Tobacco Budworm Moths, the Oriental Helicoverpa assulta (Male) and the American Heliothis virescens (Male and Female)
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The antennal lobe of the moth brain is the primary olfactory center processing information about pheromones and plant odors. We present here a digital atlas of the glomerular antennal lobe structures in the male of Helicoverpa assulta and the male and female of Heliothis virescens, based on synaptic antibody staining combined with confocal microscopy. The numbers of the glomeruli in the three specimens were similar, 65, 66, and 62, respectively. Whereas the male antennal lobe has a macroglomerular complex consisting of three and four units in the two species, the female lobe has two enlarged glomeruli at a corresponding position, near the entrance of the antennal nerve. Another large glomerulus, showing homology in the three specimens, is ventrally located. The small size of the heliothine moths is advantageous for confocal microscopy because the entire brain can be visualized as a single image stack. The maps are freely accessible on the internet, and the digital form of the data allows each atlas to be rotated and sectioned at any angle, providing for the identification of glomeruli in different preparations.
    First publ. in: The Journal of Comparative Neurology, 446:2002, 123-134.
  • Source
    Article: Unwarping confocal microscopy images of bee brains by nonrigid registration to a magnetic resonance microscopy image.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Confocal microscopy (CM) is a powerful image acquisition technique that is well established in many biological applications. It provides 3-D acquisition with high spatial resolution and can acquire several different channels of complementary image information. Due to the specimen extraction and preparation process, however, the shapes of imaged objects may differ considerably from their in vivo appearance. Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) is an evolving variant of magnetic resonance imaging, which achieves microscopic resolutions using a high magnetic field and strong magnetic gradients. Compared to CM imaging, MRM allows for in situ imaging and is virtually free of geometrical distortions. We propose to combine the advantages of both methods by unwarping CM images using a MRM reference image. Our method incorporates a sequence of image processing operators applied to the MRM image, followed by a two-stage intensity-based registration to compute a nonrigid coordinate transformation between the CM images and the MRM image. We present results obtained using CM images from the brains of 20 honey bees and a MRM image of an in situ bee brain.
    Journal of Biomedical Optics 10(2):024018. · 3.16 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Segmentation of three-dimensional images using non-rigid registration: Methods and validation with application to confocal microscopy images of bee brains
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. This paper will be published in Medical Imaging 2003: Image Processing, (San Diego, CA, February 2003), and is made available as an electronic preprint with permission of SPIE. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited. ABSTRACT This paper describes the application and validation of automatic segmentation of three-dimensional images by non-rigid registration to atlas images. The registration-based segmentation technique is applied to confocal microscopy images acquired from the brains of 20 bees. Each microscopy image is registered to an already segmented reference atlas image using an intensity-based non-rigid image registration algorithm. This paper evaluates and compares four different approaches: registration to an individual atlas image (IND), registration to an average shape atlas image (AVG), registration to the most similar image from a database of individual atlas images (SIM), and registration to all images from a database of individual atlas images with subsequent fuzzy segmentation (FUZ). For each strategy, the segmentation performance of the algorithm was quantified using both a global segmentation correctness measure and the similarity index. Manual segmentation of all microscopy images served as a gold standard. The best segmentation result (median correctness 91 percent of all voxels) was achieved using the FUZ paradigm. Robustness was also the best for this strategy (minimum correctness over all individuals 84 percent). The mean similarity index value of segmentations produced by the FUZ paradigm is 0.86 (IND, 0.81; AVG, 0.84; SIM, 0.82). The superiority of the FUZ paradigm is statistically significant (two-sided paired t-test, P < 0.001).
  • Article: Creating Virtual Insect Brains

Institutions

  • 1997–2005
    • Freie Universität Berlin
      • Institute of Biology
      Berlin, Land Berlin, Germany
  • 2004
    • Stanford University
      • Department of Neurosurgery
      Stanford, CA, USA
  • 2002
    • Norwegian University of Technology- and Science
      Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag Fylke, Norway
    • Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
      • Department of Psychology
      Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag Fylke, Norway