Measurements of neuronal apoptosis

Apoptosis is a natural process occurring during the development of central nervous system resulting in the elimination of neurons that may have formed faulty synapses. Apoptosis can also be triggered by deprivation of growth factors or by exposure to a variety of endogenous or exogenous compounds. Several methods exist to assess apoptosis in neuronal cells. The choice of a particular method for apoptosis detection is dependent on the cell system, the nature of the toxin or toxicant, the type of information being sought, and, finally, on technical limitations. In this chapter, we describe techniques to evaluate apoptosis in primary neuronal cell cultures based on the evaluation of three criteria: cell morphology, biochemical changes, and DNA degradation. To draw correct conclusions regarding the mode of cell death, a combination of some of the methods mentioned above should be used.