Regeneration of neurons represents a promising strategy for drugs targeted against neurodegenerative injuries and disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The development of new therapies is focused on identifying molecules that affect the differentiation of neurons and neurite outgrowth.

For this purpose automated measurement and analysis of neuronal cells is essential for neuroscience research and drug discovery. Neurotoxicity is another important area where neurite outgrowth analysis is applied.

Impact of NGF on neurite outgrowth of NS-1 cells. Confocal images of control (left panel) and NGF treated (right panel) NS-1 cells. Hoechst 33342 stained nuclei are shown in blue. α-tubulin was labeled by immunofluorescence with Alexa Fluor® 488 and is shown in green.