Stereology: the fast lane between neuroanatomy and brain function--or still only a tightrope?

Precise and unbiased quantitation of the key element of nervous tissue has solved some long-standing problems in neuroscience and the new stereological methods are now very efficient tools for experimental testing of new (and old!) ideas and concepts. Technically, the "zipless" combination of new stereological methods with certain essential principles for observation and recognition is only beginning to be made.