Abstract: Using a novel culture approach, previously unknown populations of neural progenitor cells have been found within an adult mammalian brain. By limiting cell-cell contact, dissociated adult brain yields at least two types of cell aggregates. These aggregates or clones of stem/precursor cells can be generated from adult brain tissue with significantly long postmortem intervals Both neurons and glia arise from stem/precursor cells of these cultures, and the cells can survive transplantation to the adult mammalian brain.

Abstract: Methods and assay systems for analyzing effects of chemical and cellular agents on brain cell neurogenesis in vivo, comprising administering an agent to a test animal and determining responses of cells of brain marrow tissues, including irradiated brain marrow tissue depleted of neurogenic stems cells, and cells in brain marrow-derived neurospheres cultured in vitro.