A Hole-filling Algorithm for Automated Axon Counting

This paper presents an algorithm for the automated counting of axons in microscope images of cross-sections of the optic nerve. The approach uses a hole-filling algorithm to identify closed bundles in the image. Six images in which axons were labeled by a trained observer (TO) were used as test data for the algorithm. Results show that the algorithm counted the axons with an average relative error (n=5) of (34±11) %. This error is far too large for the algorithm to be useful at present. It is believed however that this error is due primarily to the image segmentation method used, and that the algorithm could be improved with some modifications to increase performance.