Generation of dopaminergic neurons using valproic acid and zonisamide

This protocol describes the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) into dopaminergic (DA) neurons by isolation of PSA-NCAM-positive cells followed by culturing with valproic acid (VPA). In vivo differentiation of the cells can also be performed by transplantation of semi-differentiated cells into rat striata and systemic administration of VPA or zonisamide (ZNS) sodium salt. In both cases, the differentiated cells express typical DA neuron markers.