This work was supported by a research grant MOP 119271 to JMW by the Canadian Institute of Health Research. The authors would like to thank Ms. Yao Fang Tan for her outstanding technical assistance.

NOTE: All animal procedures conformed to the animal health and welfare guidelines of the Department of Comparative Medicine at the University of Toronto.
1. Preparation of Hippocampal Slices
<ol>
	<li>Sterilize the following instruments using the dry autoclave at 125 &#176;C: Scalpel handle (#3) (2), Standard pattern forceps, large (1), Small dissector scissor (angled to side) (1), Micro spoon (spoon and flat spatula ends) (1), Micro-spatulas (rounded and rounded tapered ends) (2), Fine pain...

<ol>
	<li>Buchs, P. A., Stoppini, L., Muller, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structural+modifications+associated+with+synaptic+development+in+area+CA1+of+rat+hippocampal+organotypic+cultures.">Structural modifications associated with synaptic development in area CA1 of rat hippocampal organotypic cultures.</a> Brain research. Developmental Brain Research. 71 (1), 81-91 (1993).</li><li>Stoppini, L., Buchs, P. A., Muller, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+simple+method+for+organotypic+cultures+of+nervous+tissue.">A simple method for organotypic cultures of nervous tissue.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 37 (2), 173-182 (1991).</li><li>Opitz-Araya, X., Barria, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Organotypic+hippocampal+slice+cultures.">Organotypic hippocampal slice cultures.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (48), (2011).</li><li>Muller, D., Buchs, P. A., Stoppini, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Time+course+of+synaptic+development+in+hippocampal+organotypic+cultures.">Time course of synaptic development in hippocampal organotypic cultures.</a> Developmental Brain Research. 71 (1), 93-100 (1993).</li><li>Rio, J. A., Heimrich, B., Soriano, E., Schwegler, H., Frotscher, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Proliferation+and+differentiation+of+glial+fibrillary+acidic+protein-immunoreactive+glial+cells+in+organotypic+slice+cultures+of+rat+hippocampus.">Proliferation and differentiation of glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunoreactive glial cells in organotypic slice cultures of rat hippocampus.</a> Neuroscience. 43 (2-3), 335-347 (1991).</li><li>Ziemka-Nalecz, M., Stanaszek, L., Zalewska, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oxygen-glucose+deprivation+promotes+gliogenesis+and+microglia+activation+in+organotypic+hippocampal+slice+culture:+involvement+of+metalloproteinases.">Oxygen-glucose deprivation promotes gliogenesis and microglia activation in organotypic hippocampal slice culture: involvement of metalloproteinases.</a> Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis. 73 (1), 130-142 (2013).</li><li>Subramanian, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transcription+factor+Lhx2+is+necessary+and+sufficient+to+suppress+astrogliogenesis+and+promote+neurogenesis+in+the+developing+hippocampus.">Transcription factor Lhx2 is necessary and sufficient to suppress astrogliogenesis and promote neurogenesis in the developing hippocampus.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 108 (27), E265-E274 (2011).</li><li>Strassburger, M., Braun, H., Reymann, K. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anti-inflammatory+treatment+with+the+p38+mitogen-activated+protein+kinase+inhibitor+SB239063+is+neuroprotective,+decreases+the+number+of+activated+microglia+and+facilitates+neurogenesis+in+oxygen-glucose-deprived+hippocampal+slice+cultures.">Anti-inflammatory treatment with the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor SB239063 is neuroprotective, decreases the number of activated microglia and facilitates neurogenesis in oxygen-glucose-deprived hippocampal slice cultures.</a> European Journal Of Pharmacology. 592 (1-3), 55-61 (2008).</li><li>Sadgrove, M. P., Chad, J. E., Gray, W. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Kainic+acid+induces+rapid+cell+death+followed+by+transiently+reduced+cell+proliferation+in+the+immature+granule+cell+layer+of+rat+organotypic+hippocampal+slice+cultures.">Kainic acid induces rapid cell death followed by transiently reduced cell proliferation in the immature granule cell layer of rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures.</a> Brain Research. 1035 (2), 111-119 (2005).</li><li>Wise-Faberowski, L., Robinson, P. N., Rich, S., Warner, D. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oxygen+and+glucose+deprivation+in+an+organotypic+hippocampal+slice+model+of+the+developing+rat+brain:+the+effects+on+N-methyl-D-aspartate+subunit+composition.">Oxygen and glucose deprivation in an organotypic hippocampal slice model of the developing rat brain: the effects on N-methyl-D-aspartate subunit composition.</a> Anesthesia and Analgesia. 109 (1), 205-210 (2009).</li><li>Cho, S., Wood, A., Brain Bowlby, M. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=slices+as+models+for+neurodegenerative+disease+and+screening+platforms+to+identify+novel+therapeutics.">slices as models for neurodegenerative disease and screening platforms to identify novel therapeutics.</a> Current Neuropharmacology. 5 (1), 19-33 (2007).</li><li>Noraberg, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Organotypic+hippocampal+slice+cultures+for+studies+of+brain+damage,+neuroprotection+and+neurorepair.+Current+Drug+Targets.">Organotypic hippocampal slice cultures for studies of brain damage, neuroprotection and neurorepair. Current Drug Targets.</a> CNS And Neurological Disorders. 4 (4), 435-452 (2005).</li><li>Berdichevsky, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=PI3K-Akt+signaling+activates+mTOR-mediated+epileptogenesis+in+organotypic+hippocampal+culture+model+of+post-traumatic+epilepsy.">PI3K-Akt signaling activates mTOR-mediated epileptogenesis in organotypic hippocampal culture model of post-traumatic epilepsy.</a> The Journal Of Neuroscience : The Official Journal Of The Society For Neuroscience. 33 (21), 9056-9067 (2013).</li><li>Koyama, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=GABAergic+excitation+after+febrile+seizures+induces+ectopic+granule+cells+and+adult+epilepsy.">GABAergic excitation after febrile seizures induces ectopic granule cells and adult epilepsy.</a> Nature Medicine. 18 (8), 1271 (2012).</li><li>Staley, K. J., White, A., Dudek, F. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Interictal+spikes:+harbingers+or+causes+of+epilepsy.">Interictal spikes: harbingers or causes of epilepsy.</a> Neuroscience Letters. 497 (3), 247-250 (2011).</li><li>Lee, H., Lee, D., Park, C. H., Ho, W. K., Lee, S. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=GABA+mediates+the+network+activity-dependent+facilitation+of+axonal+outgrowth+from+the+newborn+granule+cells+in+the+early+postnatal+rat+hippocampus.">GABA mediates the network activity-dependent facilitation of axonal outgrowth from the newborn granule cells in the early postnatal rat hippocampus.</a> The European Journal Of Neuroscience. 36 (6), 2743-2752 (2012).</li><li>Raineteau, O., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Conditional+labeling+of+newborn+granule+cells+to+visualize+their+integration+into+established+circuits+in+hippocampal+slice+cultures.">Conditional labeling of newborn granule cells to visualize their integration into established circuits in hippocampal slice cultures.</a> Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences. 32 (4), 344-355 (2006).</li><li>Raineteau, O., Rietschin, L., Gradwohl, G., Guillemot, F., Gahwiler, B. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neurogenesis+in+hippocampal+slice+cultures.">Neurogenesis in hippocampal slice cultures.</a> Molecular And Cellular Neurosciences. 26 (2), 241-250 (2004).</li><li>Kamada, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intrinsic+and+spontaneous+neurogenesis+in+the+postnatal+slice+culture+of+rat+hippocampus.">Intrinsic and spontaneous neurogenesis in the postnatal slice culture of rat hippocampus.</a> The European Journal Of Neuroscience. 20 (10), 2499-2508 (2004).</li><li>Kim, H., Kim, E., Park, M., Lee, E., Namkoong, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Organotypic+hippocampal+slice+culture+from+the+adult+mouse+brain:+a+versatile+tool+for+translational+neuropsychopharmacology.">Organotypic hippocampal slice culture from the adult mouse brain: a versatile tool for translational neuropsychopharmacology.</a> Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology &amp; Biological Psychiatry. 41, 36-43 (2013).</li><li>Legradi, A., Varszegi, S., Szigeti, C., Gulya, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Adult+rat+hippocampal+slices+as+in+vitro+models+for+neurodegeneration:+Studies+on+cell+viability+and+apoptotic+processes.">Adult rat hippocampal slices as in vitro models for neurodegeneration: Studies on cell viability and apoptotic processes.</a> Brain Research Bulletin. 84 (1), 39-44 (2011).</li><li>Sadgrove, M. P., Laskowski, A., Gray, W. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Examination+of+granule+layer+cell+count,+cell+density,+and+single-pulse+BrdU+incorporation+in+rat+organotypic+hippocampal+slice+cultures+with+respect+to+culture+medium,+septotemporal+position,+and+time+in+vitro.">Examination of granule layer cell count, cell density, and single-pulse BrdU incorporation in rat organotypic hippocampal slice cultures with respect to culture medium, septotemporal position, and time in vitro.</a> The Journal of Comparative Neurology. 497 (3), 397-415 (2006).</li><li>Mielke, J. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cytoskeletal,+synaptic,+and+nuclear+protein+changes+associated+with+rat+interface+organotypic+hippocampal+slice+culture+development.">Cytoskeletal, synaptic, and nuclear protein changes associated with rat interface organotypic hippocampal slice culture development.</a> Developmental Brain Research. 160 (2), 275-286 (2005).</li><li>Fabian-Fine, R., Volknandt, W., Fine, A., Stewart, M. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Age-dependent+pre-+and+postsynaptic+distribution+of+AMPA+receptors+at+synapses+in+CA3+stratum+radiatum+of+hippocampal+slice+cultures+compared+with+intact+brain.">Age-dependent pre- and postsynaptic distribution of AMPA receptors at synapses in CA3 stratum radiatum of hippocampal slice cultures compared with intact brain.</a> European Journal of Neuroscience. 12 (10), 3687-3700 (2000).</li><li>Laplagne, D. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+convergence+of+neurons+generated+in+the+developing+and+adult+hippocampus.">Functional convergence of neurons generated in the developing and adult hippocampus.</a> PLoS Biology. 4 (12), e409 (2006).</li><li>McDonald, H. Y., Wojtowicz, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dynamics+of+neurogenesis+in+the+dentate+gyrus+of+adult+rats.">Dynamics of neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of adult rats.</a> Neuroscience Letters. 385 (1), 70-75 (2005).</li><li>Stone, S. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+convergence+of+developmentally+and+adult-generated+granule+cells+in+dentate+gyrus+circuits+supporting+hippocampus-dependent+memory.">Functional convergence of developmentally and adult-generated granule cells in dentate gyrus circuits supporting hippocampus-dependent memory.</a> Hippocampus. 21 (12), 1348-1362 (2011).</li><li>Wang, S., Scott, B. W., Wojtowicz, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heterogenous+properties+of+dentate+granule+neurons+in+the+adult+rat.">Heterogenous properties of dentate granule neurons in the adult rat.</a> Journal of Neurobiology. 42 (2), 248-257 (2000).</li><li>Wojtowicz, J. M., Kee, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=BrdU+assay+for+neurogenesis+in+rodents.">BrdU assay for neurogenesis in rodents.</a> Nature Protocols. 1 (3), 1399-1405 (2006).</li><li>Fritsch, R. S. E. R., Weibel, E. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stereological+Methods,+Vol.+1:+Practical+Methods+for+Biological+Morphometry.">Stereological Methods, Vol. 1: Practical Methods for Biological Morphometry.</a> Zeitschrift f&#252;r Allgemeine Mikrobiologie. 21 (8), 630-630 (1981).</li><li>Bunk, E. C., Konig, H. G., Bonner, H. P., Kirby, B. P., Prehn, J. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=NMDA-induced+injury+of+mouse+organotypic+hippocampal+slice+cultures+triggers+delayed+neuroblast+proliferation+in+the+dentate+gyrus:+an+in+vitro+model+for+the+study+of+neural+precursor+cell+proliferation.">NMDA-induced injury of mouse organotypic hippocampal slice cultures triggers delayed neuroblast proliferation in the dentate gyrus: an in vitro model for the study of neural precursor cell proliferation.</a> Brain Research. 1359, 22-32 (2010).</li><li>Kolb, B., Pedersen, B., Ballermann, M., Gibb, R., Whishaw, I. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Embryonic+and+postnatal+injections+of+bromodeoxyuridine+produce+age-dependent+morphological+and+behavioral+abnormalities.">Embryonic and postnatal injections of bromodeoxyuridine produce age-dependent morphological and behavioral abnormalities.</a> The Journal Of Neuroscience : The Official Journal Of The Society For Neuroscience. 19 (6), 2337-2346 (1999).</li><li>Morris, S. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+genetic+toxicology+of+5-bromodeoxyuridine+in+mammalian+cells.">The genetic toxicology of 5-bromodeoxyuridine in mammalian cells.</a> Mutation Research. 258 (2), 161-188 (1991).</li><li>Bannigan, J., Langman, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+cellular+effect+of+5-bromodeoxyuridine+on+the+mammalian+embryo.">The cellular effect of 5-bromodeoxyuridine on the mammalian embryo.</a> Journal Of Embryology And Experimental Morphology. 50, 123-135 (1979).</li><li>Breunig, J. J., Arellano, J. I., Macklis, J. D., Rakic, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Everything+that+glitters+isn't+gold:+a+critical+review+of+postnatal+neural+precursor+analyses.">Everything that glitters isn't gold: a critical review of postnatal neural precursor analyses.</a> Cell Stem Cell. 1 (6), 612-627 (2007).</li><li>Duque, A., Rakic, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Different+effects+of+bromodeoxyuridine+and+[3H]thymidine+incorporation+into+DNA+on+cell+proliferation,+position,+and+fate.">Different effects of bromodeoxyuridine and [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA on cell proliferation, position, and fate.</a> The Journal Of Neuroscience : The Official Journal Of The Society For Neuroscience. 31 (42), 15205-15217 (2011).</li><li>Namba, T., Mochizuki, H., Onodera, M., Namiki, H., Seki, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Postnatal+neurogenesis+in+hippocampal+slice+cultures:+early+in+vitro+labeling+of+neural+precursor+cells+leads+to+efficient+neuronal+production.">Postnatal neurogenesis in hippocampal slice cultures: early in vitro labeling of neural precursor cells leads to efficient neuronal production.</a> Journal of Neuroscience Research. 85 (8), 1704-1712 (2007).</li></ol>

Following CldU (or BrdU) administration, the timeline of application of pharmacological agents can be chosen to target newborn DGCs during particular developmental windows. For example, a hypothetical agent can be applied during the second week post-CldU injection, which is proposed to coincide with the age of immature neurons that are at a developmental stage where GABA is depolarizing. Future studies using this protocol could adapt the pharmacological agent and the window of exposure to &#8220;tailor&#8221; the approac...

Adult neurogenesis in the mammalian hippocampus represents a remarkable example of the brain&#8217;s innate capacity for adaptability and plasticity. Dentate granule cells (DGCs) are generated from a renewable pool of neural progenitor cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, which is one of the two presently well-characterized neurogenic regions in the mammalian brain, and is thought to be particularly important for learning and memory. The hippocampus is part of the limbic system and has a deep location within the mammalian brain, which makes it a difficult target for precise pharmacological manipulation. Additionally, aberrant neurogenesis has been implicated in conditions, such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer&#8217;s disease, which has prompted interest in understanding the influence of various pharmacological agents during the maturation and survival of newborn neurons. The distinction between postnatal and adult neurogenesis is blurred and previous studies have shown that many features of in vivo neuronal development in the early postnatal period and adulthood are similar25. Here we emphasize postnatal neurogenesis and suggest possible applications to adult neurogenesis.
Organotypic slice cultures provide an efficient in vitro method for studying various physiological properties of the mammalian hippocampus. The value of slice cultures prepared from rodent brains can be summarized in three main qualities: 1) the protocol is straightforward and requires readily available materials; 2) slice cultures allow for pharmacological studies that eliminate complex variables such as the deep anatomic location of the hippocampus and circumvents the blood brain barrier1; and 3) the well characterized structure of the hippocampus and tri-synaptic circuit is preserved2. Previous investigators have used the organotypic hippocampal culture to study synaptic development and physiology3,4, gliogenesis5-7, ischemic brain damage8,9, neuroprotection and neurorepair10-12 as well as epilepsy13-15.The slice cultures could also provide a useful model system allowing for the monitoring of cell development in conjunction with labeling of cells with green fluorescent protein (GFP) or other vital markers.
Slice cultures have also been previously employed to study postnatal hippocampal neurogenesis16-19, but one important factor in the majority of these studies is the well-characterized degeneration that results from explanting tissue from adult animals after approximately 2 weeks in vitro20,21. For this reason, slice cultures are typically prepared from early post-natal (P5-P10) mice or rat pups, which utilizes the improved viability of early postnatal brain tissue for culturing22. While previous studies have shown that the early postnatal and adult hippocampus differ with regards to synaptic physiology and the expression of specific neuronal subtypes23,24, there is substantial conservation of the choreographed developmental program that newborn dentate granule cells proceed through during maturation25. Additionally, recent studies have suggested that the physiological characteristics of newborn DGCs in culture are very similar to immature neurons in the acute hippocampal slice preparation16.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="769">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="46" rowspan="2" style="height:47px;width:265px;">Name of Reagent/ Equipment</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:131px;">Company</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:135px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:239px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:265px;">5-chloro-2&#39;-deoxyuridine (CldU)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">MP Biomedicals</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:135px;">105478</td>
			<td style="width:239px;">Hazardous, Carcinogenic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="80">
			<td height="80" style="height:80px;width:265px;">Cell culture inserts, 30mm diameter, 0.4&#181;m pore size</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Thermo scientific&#160;</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:135px;">140660</td>
			<td style="width:239px;">Nuclon delta coating on these inserts provides better tissue adhesion and improves slice quality.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:265px;">Conical Centrifuge tubes (sterile)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">14-432-22</td>
			<td style="width:239px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Dissector scissors (angled to side)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Fine Science Tools&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">14082-09</td>
			<td style="width:239px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:265px;">Minimum essential medium (MEM)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">11095; liquid</td>
			<td style="width:239px;">Store at 4&#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:265px;">Eclipse Ni-U fluorescent microscope</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Nikon</td>
			<td style="width:135px;"></td>
			<td style="width:239px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="80">
			<td height="80" style="height:80px;width:265px;">Glue for tissue</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Krazy Glue</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">KG585</td>
			<td style="width:239px;">Use minimum amount of glue to achieve adhesion as any tissue exposed to glue will be unusable for IHC.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Hank&#8217;s Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) (500 mL)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">14025-092</td>
			<td style="width:239px;">Store at 4&#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Horse Serum Heat Inactivated (500 mL)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">16050-122</td>
			<td style="width:239px;">Make 50 mL aliquots and store at -20&#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:265px;">Kimwipes</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Kimberly-Clarke</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">TW 31KYPBX</td>
			<td style="width:239px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="60">
			<td height="60" style="height:60px;width:265px;">Modified glass pipettes (bottom of Pasteur pipette removed and edge smoothed with Bunsen flame)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;"></td>
			<td style="width:135px;"></td>
			<td style="width:239px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Petri Dish (100mm x 15mm) and (60mm x 15mm)</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Fisher Brand</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">FB0875712 and FB0875713A</td>
			<td style="width:239px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Scalpel blades #11</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">10011-00</td>
			<td style="width:239px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Scalpel handle #3</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">10003-12</td>
			<td style="width:239px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Serological Pipettes</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Sorfa Medical Plastic Co.</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">P8050</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Standard Pattern forceps</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">11000-12</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Sterile vacuum filter</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Thermo-Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">565-0020</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Surgical Scissors</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">14054-13</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:265px;">Syringe driven filter unit</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Millipore-Millex</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">SLGP033RS</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="40">
			<td height="40" style="height:40px;width:265px;">Tissue chopper with moveable stage</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Stoelting&#160;</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:135px;">51425</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:265px;">Fine tip paintbrush</td>
			<td style="width:131px;"></td>
			<td style="width:135px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

organotypic slice cultures for studies of postnatal neurogenesis

Here we describe a technique for studying hippocampal postnatal neurogenesis in the rodent brain using the organotypic slice culture technique. This method maintains the characteristic topographical morphology of the hippocampus while allowing direct application of pharmacological agents to the developing hippocampal dentate gyrus. Additionally, slice cultures can be maintained for up to 4 weeks and thus, allow one to study the maturation process of newborn granule neurons. Slice cultures allow for efficient pharmacological manipulation of hippocampal slices while excluding complex variables such as uncertainties related to the deep anatomic location of the hippocampus as well as the blood brain barrier. For these reasons, we sought to optimize organotypic slice cultures specifically for postnatal neurogenesis research.

Determining if organotypic cultures would be suitable for adult neurogenesis research required that they satisfy two main criteria: 1) that slices maintain characteristic morphological features of hippocampal slices after 10-21 days in vitro (DIV), and 2) that newborn DGCs can be quantified using standard immunohistochemical techniques commonly employed in adult neurogenesis research. Regarding the first criterion, Figure 1A and 1B highlight the preserved hippocampal morphology....

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Organotypic Slice Cultures for Studies of Postnatal Neurogenesis at JoVE.com

Organotypic Slice Cultures for Studies of Postnatal Neurogenesis

Here we describe a technique for studying hippocampal postnatal neurogenesis using the organotypic slice culture technique. This method allows for in vitro manipulation of adult neurogenesis and allows for the direct application of pharmacological agents to the cultured hippocampus.

Here we describe a technique for studying hippocampal postnatal neurogenesis in the rodent brain using the organotypic slice culture technique. This ...

organotypic-slice-cultures-for-studies-of-postnatal-neurogenesis

Research

JoVE Journal

Developmental Biology

12.2K visualizações.  University of Toronto.  Aqui nós descrevemos uma técnica para estudar a neurogênese pós-natal do hipocampo utilizando a técnica de cultura fatia organotípica. Este método permite a manipulação in vitro da neurogénese adulto e permite a aplicação directa de agentes farmacológicos para o hipocampo cultivadas. 