“…Certain neuronal systems in the hypothalamus such as LHRH neurons in the OVLT-MPOA region (Wray et al, 1988)and the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) (Belenky et al, 1996)survive exceptionally well in organotypic cultures. As a result, the SCN in organotypic culture has been an outstanding and reliable model for the study of the generation of circadian rhythms in this nucleus (Maywood et al, 2007; Maywood et al, 2006; O’Neill et al, 2008; Rusnak et al, 2007; Tominaga et al, 1994). For other neuronal phenotypes, however, such as the magnocellular neurons (MCNs) in the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system (HNS) it has been found that while the topography of the MCNs is maintained in organotypic culture, the survival of these neurons particularly the Avp-MCNs, the PVN and SON is very poor and highly variable (House et al, 1998; Wray et al, 1991).…”