OBJECTIVETo find a better method for harvesting highly purified neurons by comparing three methods used for co-culture of neurons and astrocytes.

METHODSThe co-culture models of neurons and astrocytes were established by primary culture, Banker's co-culture method or Transwell cell-culture inserts. The neurons and astrocytes cultured in vitro were from neonatal rats.

RESULTSThe highly purified neurons were not harvested by primary culture because the neurons and astrocytes grew on the same cover slip and it was difficult to control the growth velocity of astrocytes. The highly purified neurons were harvested by Banker's co-culture method or the method using Transwell cell-culture inserts, but the procedure of the former was more complicated than that of the later.

CONCLUSIONSThe culture method using Transwell cell-culture inserts is recommended for the establishment of the co-culture system of neurons and astrocytes.