Semi-supervised projected clustering for classifying GABAergic interneurons

Abstract

A systematic classification of neuron types is a critical topic of debate in neuroscience. In this study, we propose a semi-supervised projected clustering algorithm based on finite mixture models and the expectation- maximization (EM) algorithm, that is useful for classifying neuron types. Specifically, we analyzed cortical GABAergic interneurons from different animals and cortical layers. The new algorithm, called SeSProC, is a probabilistic approach for classifying known classes and for discovering possible new groups of interneurons. Basic morphological features containing information about axonal and dendritic arborization sizes and orientations are used to characterize the interneurons. SeSProC also identifies the relevance of each feature and group separately. This article aims to present the methodological approach, reporting results for known classes and possible new groups of interneurons. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.