Effects of GABA, glycine, and sodium barbiturate on dendritic growth in vitro.

Dendritic growth and dendritic arborization of both the large neurons of the cerebral and the cerebellar cortex and the small bipolar neurons were studied in vitro under normal feeding conditions and under the influence of GABA, glycine, and sodium barbiturate. By the end of week 1 the neurons cultured in normal nutrient developed primary dendritic shafts, demonstrating a tendency for bifurcation. By the end of week 2 the neurons appeared as numerous secondary dendritic branches studded with spines.