Tissue culture of adult human neurons

Dissociated neurons from adult human trigeminal and superior cervical ganglia were cultured in vitro for more than 2 months. Immediately after dissociation by incubation in 0.06% collagenase for 15--18 h, the cultures consisted of single neurons or clumps of neurons and degenerating fragments of myelinated or non-myelinated axons. After 7--10 days, bipolar Schwann cells, large neurons and fine nerve fibers were observed. Electron microscopic examination of these neurons revealed all the ultrastructural features of healthy adult neurons including those of lipofuscin pigments. By electrophysiological technique, extracellular recording to action potentials generated by these neurons were obtained indicating the neurons were alive and healthy. The availability of adult human neurons in culture should provide a model system for investigation related to the pathomechanism of lipofuscin formation and aging in general.