Gangliosides in isolated neurons and glial cells

Gangliosides occur in much greater amounts in clean isolated neurons and in the neuropil teased from immediately around the neuron cell body and dendrites than in isolated clumps of glial cells. Since the zone of neuropil adjacent to neurons is richest in terminal axons and synaptic endings, these findings indicate a specific concentration of these sialoglycolipids in synaptic membranes.