Primary Hippocampal Neurons Assay

Creative Biolabs is a leading contract research organization in the field of life science. As the demand for neuroscience research continues to increase, our team integrates research resources and technologies, providing global researchers with customized primary hippocampal neurons assays. We offer comprehensive services to probe the function of primary hippocampal neurons, which can be applied to neuropathology exploration, drug screening, etc.

Background of Hippocampus and Hippocampal Neurons

The human brain's capacity for functioning is greatly influenced by the hippocampal neurons. One on each side of the brain of mammals, the hippocampi are found. All mammals share a remarkably similar hippocampus formation about their neuronal anatomy and pathways. The hippocampus belongs to the limbic system, which plays an important role in the consolidation of information from short-term to long-term memory. The hippocampus enables navigation through spatial memory and the verbal representation of facts and figures through declarative memory. Reduction of hippocampal volume or damage to hippocampal neurons can lead to anxiety and depression, and behavioral inhibition. The hippocampus also acts as a negative feedback regulator of the hypothalamic pituitary axis (HPA) and is involved in stress regulation.

Fig.1 Primary hippocampal neurons grown in the microfluidic chips after 7 days in vitro. (Ruiz, 2014)

Primary Hippocampal Neuron Assays

• Excitotoxicity Assay

It is well known that neuropathology is associated with an important underlying mechanism of neuronal excitation involving excitatory glutamate receptors. Excitotoxicity is excessive signaling of hippocampal neurons, which may lead to a high level of intracellular calcium in hippocampal neurons and ultimately lead to hippocampal neuron death. Therefore, the detection of excitotoxicity of hippocampal neurons is necessary to assess oxidative stress and inflammation in neurological diseases. Creative Biolabs provides primary hippocampal neuron cell lines for the assay. We offer both glutamate and kainic acid (KA) induced hippocampal neuronal excitotoxicity assay to determine neuronal excitation.

Fig.2 Neuroprotective effect of PRL against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in hippocampal neuronal cultures (Rivero-Segura, 2017).

• Neurite Growth Assay

Neurite growth assay can be used to study the growth of primary hippocampal neurons. Our service enables the visualization of the outgrowth of the primary hippocampal neuron with neuroscience imaging system and analysis software. The imaging of primary hippocampal neurons enables comprehensive identification of the neuronal networks and their alterations. In addition, neurite growth assay for hippocampal neurons can be used to determine the compounds treating neurological disorders.

Applications

The dysfunction of hippocampal neurons contributes to the neuropathology of several neurological diseases, such as neuropsychiatric disorders, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, primary hippocampal neurons assays are ideal for exploring the mechanisms of action of those diseases. For example, primary hippocampal neurons assays can be used to detect the damaging effect of Aβ or Tau on hippocampal neurons, which are indications of Alzheimer's disease.

Creative Biolabs is dedicated to providing a full range of in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo services to study hippocampal neurons and related neurological disorders. For the primary hippocampal neurons assay, we offer corresponding cell lines and customized experimental protocol and support to meet your research requirement. Please feel free to contact us for more detailed information on primary hippocampal neurons assay.

References

1. Ruiz, A.; et al. Testing Aβ toxicity on primary CNS cultures using drug-screening microfluidic chips. Lab on a Chip. 2014, 14(15): 2860-2866.
2. Rivero-Segura, N. A.; et al. Prolactin-induced neuroprotection against glutamate excitotoxicity is mediated by the reduction of [Ca²⁺] i overload and NF-κB activation. PLoS One. 2017, 12(5): e0176910.