Specific neuronal staining by in vitro uptake of lucifer yellow

Neurons and glial cells can be stained by Lucifer Yellow CH in vitro to produce a Golgi-like fluorescent or electron-dense stain. This technique has been applied successfully in the retinas of several species, rat brain slices and embryonic chick spinal cord. The relative proportion of stained neurons residing in different retinal layers can be modified by manipulating extracellular concentrations of calcium, magnesium and cobalt. In many cases this technique can be a useful adjunct to traditional neuroanatomical techniques.