Neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells as a tool to assess developmental neurotoxicity in vitro

► Method for fast and efficient differentiation of mouse stem cells into neural cells. ► Neural cells express structural proteins associated with postsynaptic sites and presynaptic vesicles, as well as neurotransmitters. ► Agonists of glutamate and dopamine receptors resulted in a marked increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels. ► In vitro system to detect adverse effects of neurodevelopmental toxicants.