Neuron generation in dissociated cell cultures from fetal rat cerebral cortex

Examination of dissociated cell cultures of rat fetal cortex revealed that mature cultures contained more neurons (identified by phase contrast morphology and tetanus toxin staining) than the number of cells initially adhering to the coverslips. Labeling with [3H]thymidine confirmed that neuronal precursors were undergoing mitosis throughout at least the first 10 days in vitro.