Morphometric and morphological differences have been used extensively in the past to study domestication of the wolf and the origin of dogs. Certainly before genetic testing was performed, these... Show moreMorphometric and morphological differences have been used extensively in the past to study domestication of the wolf and the origin of dogs. Certainly before genetic testing was performed, these methods were the only means to diverge both groups. But still now, when aDNA cannot be extracted, morphometry and morphology are still important study methods to discern between wolves and dogs.Many of the historically claimed differences were based on studying rather low numbers of Specimens, and on comparisons with genetically isolated groups of dogs or breeds that had anatomical variants which diverge from the mean. This led to several claimed differences that needed rigorous re-evaluated, by investigating larger groups of specimens, both dogs and wolves, and more importantly, and if possible, Pleistocene wolves and the oldest archaeological dogs.We re-evaluated all important morphological and morphometric criteria published in the literature. Most are related to oral, mandibular and skull differences, but also difference in stature was reported. From all criteria we re-tested very few proved to be valuable. And those that show a difference, can often only be used to a limited extend, as only the extremes of these criteria are non-overlapping between groups. Show less
The striatum plays a central role in the limbic system and the cholinergic system, which are both affected in AD. Therefore the striatum can be considered a key candidate structure to be affected... Show moreThe striatum plays a central role in the limbic system and the cholinergic system, which are both affected in AD. Therefore the striatum can be considered a key candidate structure to be affected early in the disease. Part one of this thesis bundled the results of several volumetric and morphometric structural MRI studies of the striatum in older people and especially in patients with AD. Identifying pathological (focal) brain atrophy is, however, complex and a simple estimation of brain structure volumes of an individual patient does not lead to a diagnosis but needs to be assessed relative to group volumes and premorbid brain size. Therefore, in part two of this thesis two large population studies were included that focused on improving our understanding of the physiologic variability of brain structure and degeneration. Show less
Aghajani, M.; Klapwijk, E.T.; Wee, N.J. van der; Veer, I.M.; Rombouts, S.A.R.B.; Boon, A.E.; ... ; Colins, O.F. 2017
