[The characteristics of the morphofunctional organization of the raphe nucleus neurons in tissue culture].

Morpho-functional development of the raphe nuclei neurons was studied in long-term (up to 20 days) organotypic cultures taken from newborn rats. Differentiated neurons typical for raphe nuclei were identified in explants after 10 days in vitro. The synthesis of serotonin (5-HT) and uptake of 3H-5-HT were more intense in the raphe neurons culture than in hippocampal and neocortical cultures. The cultured raphe nucleus neurons generate low-frequency (1.2 Hz on the average) and regular (rhythmic) spike activity which corresponds to the data obtained in vivo. The data obtained confirm the idea of autonomic activity of the raphe neurons.