The use and study of neural stem cells (NSCs) both in vitro and in vivo has increased exponentially over the past 6–8 years, with the majority of laboratories working toward the use of these cells therapeutically. The bulk of the characterization of NSCs has relied on immunocytochemical techniques, sometimes combined with morphological analysis. However, evidence for the ability of many types of NSCs to generate functionally mature neurons capable of forming normal and appropriate synapses is still largely lacking.
