Spatial Proximity

Spatial Proximity analysis provides insights into the distribution of different object types by calculating nearest neighbor distances. Use to analyze the minimum, maximum, and average distance between two object types, including somas, trees, vessels, and puncta (e.g., distance between somas and puncta).

Procedure

1. Select object types to be analyzed in the Data List window by clicking their labels.
2. Click spatial from the Analyze ribbon and choose Spatial Proximity from the drop-down menu to open the Spatial Proximity window.  
3. Use the radio buttons to choose soma, tree, vessel, or puncta as the main Object type and the Neighbor object type.
4. Click OK.

Analysis results

Neurolucida Explorer determines the minimum and maximum distance (µm) between any of each object and neighbor types, along with the average distance between all object and neighbor pairs:

Min Neighbor Distance (µm): The distance between the closest object and neighbor pair.

Avg Neighbor Distance (µm): The average of the distances between all object and neighbor pairs.

Max Neighbor Distance (µm): The distance between the furthest object and neighbor pair.

Distances are calculated using the centroid of somas and puncta, and any trace point along trees and vessels. For example, the minimum neighbor distance between a soma and its closest neighbor vessel is the distance between the centroid of the soma and the trace point along the vessel that is closest to the centroid of the soma.