Fig. 2

Representative time-lapse images track neuronal fate. Time-lapse images of co-cultures of wild-type neurons and glia were taken every hour to track neuron survival. The fate of individual neurons can be tracked over time by following the labeled number in the image. Neurons were pre-selected in the image taken at 0 h and followed for the duration of the experiment or until time of death. Death was determined using a set of rigorous morphological criteria including loss of phase brightness, fragmentation of neurites, and collapse of the cell soma (white arrowheads). Representative images from three treatment groups (no treatment, Tat + morphine, BDNF + Tat + morphine) are shown here. Wells receiving no treatment typically showed 85–90% survival rates. Data in Figs. 3 and 6 show that Tat + morphine treatment results in a higher frequency of neuron death by 72 h, and BDNF rescues neurons from the death induced by Tat + morphine treatment. Scale bars for each set of panels  = 20 μM