neurweetgroeiassays

Neurweetgroeiassays, the Dutch term for neurite outgrowth assays, are in vitro assays that quantify the extension of neurites from neurons or neuronal cells. They are used to study neural development, regeneration, and the effects of compounds on neurite growth.

Typical experimental systems include primary neurons from animals, such as cortical or hippocampal neurons or dorsal root ganglion cells, as well as human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells or neuronal cell lines. Cells are cultured on adhesion-promoting substrates like poly-D-lysine and laminin, sometimes with added growth factors such as nerve growth factor (NGF) or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Assays can be conducted as endpoint measurements after a defined culture period or as real-time, time-lapse analyses.

Readouts focus on neurite metrics, including average neurite length, total outgrowth, and branching complexity. Neuronal markers such as βIII-tubulin or MAP2 are frequently used for immunostaining, while live-cell imaging can enable dynamic measurements. Quantification relies on image analysis software and plugins to extract parameters like mean neurite length, neurite number, and Sholl analysis for branching.

Variants and refinements include compartmentalized culture systems that separate axons from cell bodies, microfluidic devices, and co-culture with glial cells to better mimic the neural environment. High-content screening formats allow testing of large compound libraries or genetic perturbations.

Applications span screening for neurotrophic or neurotoxic effects, drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases, and studies of neuronal injury and regeneration. Limitations include variability among neuronal sources, species differences, culture conditions, and the challenge of translating in vitro outcomes to in vivo relevance.