Alzheimer's Stains

Alzheimer's Stains, are used for processing the central nervous system with the aim of detecting protoplasmic glia (glial cells). The most commonly used staining methods are: 1) Mallory's hematoxylin; 2) Mann's fluid; and 3) Fuchsin-Lichtgrtin. For the first two methods, fixation in a special mordant for neuroglia (Weigert) with formalin is necessary; then embed in paraffin or cut on a freezing microtome. In the first method, sections are placed for 2 minutes in acidified water, then for 2 minutes in diluted Mallory's hematoxylin, washed in water, differentiated in alcohols, and mounted in Canada balsam. In the second method, sections are treated for 1 to 6 hours in a saturated aqueous solution of phosphomolybdic acid, washed in water, stained for 1 hour in Mann's fluid, washed again in water, differentiated in alcohols to a blue tone, and mounted in balsam. In the third method, brain pieces are fixed for 24 hours in 10% formalin, for 8 days in Flemming's fluid, washed in water for 24 hours, embedded in paraffin; stained for 1 hour at 58°C in a saturated aqueous solution of fuchsin, washed in water; for 10-12 seconds in a mixture of picric acid 30 cubic cm and distilled water 50 cubic cm; washed in water, then for 20-50 minutes in a saturated aqueous solution of Lichtgrtin; quick wash in water, passed through alcohols, and mounted in balsam. Literature - see Histological technique.