[In vitro models for the study of nerve lesions and potential neuroprotective drugs]

In order to study the neurotoxic effects of drugs and to search for neuroprotective agents, we need simple models that permit a quick screening of thousands of compounds. In vitro models with cellular cultures fulfill all this criteria and they are very appropriate to study the mechanism of action of drugs. As adult neurons are very difficult to maintain in culture, this kind of studies are carried out with fetal neurons, tumoral cells or chromaffin cells.

This in vitro models have shown the neuroprotective effect of glutamate antagonists, calcium-channel blockers, free radical scavengers and other agents as CDP-choline, that promotes cellular membranes restoration.