Neurite Outgrowth
The study of neuronal cell differentiation, neurite outgrowth and development of growth cones is of particular importance in the areas of neurogenerative research and regenerative medicine. NeuriteFinderTM has been developed specifically to measure cell number, differentiation, neurite length, neurite number per cell and rate of neurite growth without the need to label the cells with fluorescent markers.
Distinctions can be made between neuronal cells and any other type of cell which may be present in the population, for example glial cells. Thus the protocol ensures only neuronal cells are quantified for each sample and any other cells present excluded.
Conversley when neuronal cells are treated with specific compounds, such as amitriptyline, shrinkage of the neurites can occur. This shrinkage in neurite length can also be measured over time, as shown in the image below.
