AAV adeno-associated virus AdV adenovirus BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor CNS central nervous system EGFP enhanced green fluorescent protein HSV herpes simplex virus SFV Semliki Forest virus WPRE woodchuck hepatitis virus posttranscriptional regulatory element

To illuminate the function of the thousands of genes that make up the complexity of the nervous system, it is critical to be able to introduce and express DNA in neurons. Over the past two decades, many gene transfer methods have been developed, including viral vectors, liposomes and electroporation. Although the perfect gene transfer technique for every application has not yet been developed, recent technical advances have facilitated the ease of neuronal gene transfer and have increased the accessibility of these techniques to all laboratories. In order to select a transfection method for any particular experiment, the specific advantages and disadvantages of each technique must be considered.