Hypothalamic neurones in culture. I. A short review of the literature

This article probably represents the first comprehensive attempt to review the fast growing literature dealing with mammalian hypothalamic neurones in long-term cultures. The bulk of the experimental data on this topic printed before the second half of 1978 deals with endocrine neurones, their development, their bioelectric properties, their biosynthetic capabilities and with mechanisms of hormone secretion. Most initial studies had been concerned with providing evidence that hypothalamic endocrine neurones preserve some of their characteristic properties in culture. The time has come to gain new insights into their functioning with the use of in vitro techniques that allow the composition of the external environment of the cells to the markedly altered.