Establishing a Protocol to Culture Primary Hippocampal Neurons

The brain is the most complex organ of the body organized in discrete anatomical and functional regions. Cell culture systems are an efficient way to manipulate neuronal cells and evaluate their response. Cells from the hippocampus, the area of the brain associated with learning and memory, are commonly used for primary neuronal cultures. This report describes the steps necessary to establish a primary neuronal culture laboratory and evaluates various culturing techniques of primary hippocampal neuronal cultures to determine the best, most appropriate techniques for guiding current and future Army needs.