Primary astroglial cultures in alcohol and drug research

Primary cell cultures are a potent tool for studying effects of ethanol and drugs at the cellular and molecular level. Such investigations include effects on proliferating and non-dividing cells. Physiologic mechanisms of drug action can be studied as well as toxic effects. The culture conditions including the rate of cell growth, the cellular composition and the differentiation degree of the cells, must be defined before the results from culture studies can be interpreted and be attached any significance. Changes in cell morphology after addition of the drug can be followed over time and compared with results from electrophysiology and/or drug influences upon cell metabolism including specific biochemical/functional properties on small groups of cells. Interaction between drugs and substances or hormones added to the incubation media can be evaluated. From a physiological point of view it must always be remembered that primary cultures elucidate phenomena which are devoid of integrative function. In that context results from culture models must be confirmed in experimental systems, using the intact organism to prove validity. On the other hand, primary cultures of the nervous system are very suitable model systems for elucidating biochemical mechanisms, especially those at the membrane level. The culture system enables us to study biochemical mechanisms, like the receptor transduction, at a very precise level, avoiding e.g. drawbacks with the blood-brain barrier. Furthermore, specific cells derived either from glial or neuronal origin can be studied separately.