The selective viability of human foetal brain cells

Abstract

The influence of various factors upon the survival of human foetal neurones has been examined The viability of several brain structures was assessed using ethidium bromide and acridine orange fluorescence in both ‘intact’ and mechanically dispersed tissue. Striatum was least vulnerable to dissociation while cortex, mesencephalon, pons, cerebellum and cord were more vulnerable to a greater or lesser extent. Material can be preserved in vitro with greater viability in the undissociated rather than dissociated state. The effects of other factors including foetal age upon viability are discussed.