Fig. 4. Discrepancies between neuronal death and dendritic varicosity formation. Slices were treated with kainate (A), AMPA (B) or other drugs (C). Kainate, AMPA and veratridine (10 µM) were applied for 10 minutes. Ca2+-free buffer was applied for 30 minutes. Colchicine (100 µM), cytochalasin D (1 µM) and latrunculin A (1 µM) were applied for 12 hours. The cultures were divided into two groups: one group was cultivated at 37°C for 24 hours and PI uptake was measured (a), and the other group was immediately fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and the ratio of dendrites bearing varicosities was measured (b). Panel C shows values in the CA1 region. Varicosity formation was induced by various stimulants, even at low concentrations that did not give rise to cell death. **P<0.01 versus Control. Data represent the means±s.e.m. of 9-13 slices.
