IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL DEMONSTRATION OF MONOAMINE-CONTAINING CELLS IN HUMAN FETAL BRAIN-STEM DISSOCIATED CULTURES

Primary dissociated cultures were prepared from the brain stems of 7- to 10-week-old human fetuses. Immunocytochemical detection of serotoni n (5HT)-, dopamine (DA)-, noradrenaline (NA)- and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-containing cells was performed within 4 to 12 weeks in culture. We observed 5HT- and NA-stained neurons in the rhombencephalon. DA-sta ined cells were observed in the mesencephalon. TH-stained neurons were evidenced in both parts of the brain stem. Our in vitro system appear s particularly appropriate for further investigation of grafts transpl anted into the lesioned central nervous system (CNS).