In vivo administration of fluorescent dextrans for the specific and sensitive localization of brain vascular pericytes and their characterization in normal and neurotoxin exposed brains

► Fluorescent dextrans when injected into the lateral ventricle of the brain labeled perivascular pericytes. ► Using these fluorescent dextrans, one can determine the impact of various neurotoxicants on pericyte distribution in the brain. ► Also following neurotoxicant exposure, the pericyte morphology was different compared to saline treated control animals.