Cell culture media provide the necessary nutrients and conditions for cells to grow outside of a living organism. Neurobasal media are specialized formulations designed for culturing neuronal cells, which require precise environments. This article explores the distinctions between the original Neurobasal Medium and Neurobasal Plus Medium.
Understanding Neurobasal Medium
Neurobasal Medium is a serum-free basal medium developed for cultivating primary and immortalized neuronal cells. Its purpose is to support neuronal survival and growth while minimizing the proliferation of non-neuronal cells often found in primary cultures. The serum-free nature of Neurobasal Medium avoids variability and potential contaminants from serum. For optimal neuronal health and long-term viability, Neurobasal Medium requires supplementation with specific additives like B-27 Supplement and GlutaMAX.
Understanding Neurobasal Plus Medium
Neurobasal Plus Medium represents an evolution from the classic Neurobasal Medium, designed to offer enhanced neuronal viability and functionality. It incorporates improvements aimed at supporting higher in vitro survival of primary and stem cell-derived neurons. This next-generation medium maintains the serum-free approach, which is a consistent benefit for neuronal cultures. Neurobasal Plus Medium also requires specific supplements, most notably B-27 Plus Supplement, to achieve its full potential. The advancements in Neurobasal Plus Medium aim to provide benefits in terms of overall cell health, consistent experimental outcomes, and potentially longer-term culture capabilities.
The Core Differences and Their Impact
The primary distinction between Neurobasal Medium and Neurobasal Plus Medium lies in their optimized compositions, particularly concerning key amino acids and buffering components. Neurobasal Plus Medium contains the same basic components as the original, but their concentrations have been precisely adjusted. No small molecules or growth factors have been added to the Neurobasal Plus formulation.
These refinements directly impact neuronal cell culture. When used in conjunction with B-27 Plus Supplement, Neurobasal Plus Medium has been shown to support higher neuronal survival and improved neurite outgrowth compared to the classic Neurobasal Medium with B-27 Supplement. This enhancement in survival means that a greater number of neurons remain viable over extended culture periods, which is beneficial for long-term experimental studies. The improved neurite outgrowth suggests better neuronal development and connectivity, supporting more complex network formation in vitro.
The original Neurobasal Medium was known to reduce synaptic communication and action potential firing in some neuronal cultures, potentially due to lower concentrations of certain inorganic salts like sodium chloride, which are crucial for electrical signaling. While specific details of compositional changes in Neurobasal Plus are proprietary, the optimization of buffering components and amino acids likely addresses these functional limitations, fostering a more physiologically relevant environment for neuronal activity. The adjustments aim to create conditions that better support the delicate balance required for neuronal health and function, potentially leading to reduced apoptosis and enhanced synaptic activity over time.
Deciding Which Medium to Use
Choosing between Neurobasal Medium and Neurobasal Plus Medium depends on the specific requirements of a neuronal cell culture experiment. For long-term cultures, particularly those involving sensitive neuronal types or stem cell-derived neurons, Neurobasal Plus Medium often presents a more advantageous option. Its optimized formulation and demonstrated improvements in cell survival and neurite outgrowth make it suitable for experiments demanding maximum viability and functional maturation.
The original Neurobasal Medium, when supplemented, remains a viable choice for standard, shorter-term cultures or when budget is a primary concern. It has been a reliable medium for many years and continues to be used successfully in various neuroscience applications. The decision should align with the desired experimental outcomes, the specific neuronal cell type, and the culture duration.