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Current Laboratory Methods in Neuroscience Research pp 115–128Cite as

Isolation and Culture of Human Neurons, Microglia, and Astrocytes

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Abstract

Neuronal and glial cell cultures are important parts of neuroscience laboratories. Because the human brain is the least accessible organ, experimental studies on brain cell cultures provide valuable information. The ability to experiment on real neurons and glial cells in a controlled environment under specific conditions is essential to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms in the brain during development and in disease. Isolation and culture of neurons and glial cells is tricky but very important techniques for neuroscientists. These cells are very fragile, and primary culture of brain cells can be challenging. This chapter describes step-by-step protocols for the isolation and enrichment of different cell types from human brain tissue, and the optimal conditions needed to achieve viable and healthy neuronal and glial cell cultures. Immunocytochemical staining protocols for the brain cells are described with illustrations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5880, USA

    Li Wu & Santhi Gorantla Ph.D.

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  1. Li Wu
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  2. Santhi Gorantla Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Santhi Gorantla Ph.D. .

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  1. Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA

    Huangui Xiong  & Howard E. Gendelman  & 

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Wu, L., Gorantla, S. (2014). Isolation and Culture of Human Neurons, Microglia, and Astrocytes. In: Xiong, H., Gendelman, H.E. (eds) Current Laboratory Methods in Neuroscience Research. Springer Protocols Handbooks. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8794-4_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8794-4_7

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