The hippocampal tissue slice in animal models of CNS disorders

The use of in vitro brain slice preparations has increased in the past ten years, particularly the hippocampal slice because of the dissection ease, well-defined cell layers, and self-contained afferent systems. Developing the slice as a model for screening neurotoxins is of particular interest because of the sensitivity of hippocampal neurons to chemical or metabolic insult and the need to keep animal usage to a minimum. Experiments where the slice has been used to study the neurotoxin trimethyltin are discussed, along with its use as a model for investigating the neurodegenerative problems associated with hypoxia, ischemia, and epilepsy.