Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the diagnosis of CTE or the early stages thereof or a predisposition to CTE. The methods are based on quantitative determination of a mitogenically expressible surface markers, and peripherally accessible cells, e.g. skin cells or lymphocytes, (a) prior to and (b) after mitogenic stimulation. A specific stimulation index a:b is an indication of CTE or early stages thereof or of a predisposition to CTE. The invention also relates to kits which are suitable for carrying out the inventive methods of diagnosis.

Abstract: The invention features methods for expansion and packaging of cells. Expansion is achieved by providing cells that include neural progenitor cells; plating the cells in culture vessels at an average density of 1×105 to 7×105 cells/cm2; and culturing said cells in culture medium and under conditions permissible for proliferation of said neural progenitor cells, wherein the volume of medium results in an initial cell density of between 5×104 and 1.5×105 cells per milliliter of medium. Preparation of cells for transplantation includes providing a cell suspension that includes single cells, aggregates of fewer than two hundred cells, or a combination thereof; and re-aggregating the cells in said cell suspension, wherein greater than 50% of reaggregates consist of between 25 and 500 cells/reaggregate.