Axon degeneration assays in superior cervical ganglion explant cultures

Abstract

The ability of peripheral nervous system neurons to extend long, axon-like neurites in vitro makes them ideally suited for studies on mechanisms of axon survival and degeneration. In this chapter, we describe how to prepare explant cultures of sympathetic neurons of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG). We also describe how to induce and assess axon degeneration with an injury or a chemical insult.