Toxicologic Pathology

 

Advanced Search

Journal Navigation

Journal Home

Subscriptions

Archive

Contact Us

Table of Contents

Click here to sign up for SAGE Journal Email Alerts today!

Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
This Article
Right arrow Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Fix, A. S.
Right arrow Articles by Garman, R. H.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Fix, A. S.
Right arrow Articles by Garman, R. H.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?
Toxicologic Pathology, Vol. 28, No. 1, 122-131 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/019262330002800115

Practical Aspects of Neuropathology: A Technical Guide for Working with the Nervous System

Andrew S. Fix

The Procter and Gamble Company, Miami Valley Laboratories, Cincinnati, Ohio 45253

Robert H. Garman

Consultants in Veterinary Pathology, Murrysville, Pennsylvania 15668

Toxicologic pathologists are evaluating tissues from the central and peripheral nervous systems with increasing frequency. This change is being driven by recently established regulatory guidelines and intense interest in developing pharmaceutical compounds to treat various nervous system disorders. However, morphologic evaluation of the nervous system by light or electron microscopy requires special understanding and effort. Here, we review the general concepts of fixation for the nervous system, explain perfusion procedures for optimal preservation, and provide information on handling tissues to avoid artifacts. In general, fixation with aldehydes is recommended for nervous tissue (a combination of paraformaldehyde and glutaraldehyde is preferred). Electron microscopic studies require fixatives of the highest purity possible, typically paraformaldehyde prepared fresh from powder mixed with high-grade glutaraldehyde. The final osmolality of the solution should be slightly hypertonic, in the range of 400-600 mOsmol. Slight hypertonicity is very important and will facilitate maintenance of vascular distention during whole-body perfusion, which is the best method for producing high-quality tissue preparations. Special effort is necessary for handling nervous tissue in a way that minimizes artifacts because chemical fixation is not completed immediately following the perfusion. These technical details should help toxicologic pathologists in their efforts to work with the nervous system, thereby increasing their effectiveness in supporting safety characterization of new test materials undergoing toxicologic assessments.

Key Words: Aldehydes • artifacts • fixation • immersion • immunohistochemistry • perfusion • special stains • tissue handling


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Toxicol PatholHome page
B. Bolon, D. C. Anthony, M. Butt, D. Dorman, M. V. Green, P. B. Little, W. M. Valentine, D. Weinstock, J. Yan, and R. C. Sills
"Current Pathology Techniques" Symposium Review: Advances and Issues in Neuropathology
Toxicol Pathol, October 1, 2008; 36(6): 871 - 889.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am. J. Pathol.Home page
A. F. Hubbs, S. A. Benkovic, D. B. Miller, J. P. O'Callaghan, L. Battelli, D. Schwegler-Berry, and Q. Ma
Vacuolar Leukoencephalopathy with Widespread Astrogliosis in Mice Lacking Transcription Factor Nrf2
Am. J. Pathol., June 1, 2007; 170(6): 2068 - 2076.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Toxicol PatholHome page
B. Bolon, R. Garman, K. Jensen, G. Krinke, B. Stuart, and An Ad Hoc Working Group of the STP Scientific and
A 'Best Practices' Approach to Neuropathologic Assessment in Developmental Neurotoxicity Testing--for Today
Toxicol Pathol, April 1, 2006; 34(3): 296 - 313.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Histochem. Cytochem.Home page
E. Monleon, M. Monzon, P. Hortells, A. Vargas, and J. J. Badiola
Detection of PrPsc in Samples Presenting a Very Advanced Degree of Autolysis (BSE Liquid State) by Immunocytochemistry
J. Histochem. Cytochem., January 1, 2003; 51(1): 15 - 18.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Toxicol PatholHome page
R. H. Garman
Evaluation of Large-Sized Brains for Neurotoxic Endpoints
Toxicol Pathol, January 1, 2003; 31(1_suppl): 32 - 43.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Histochem. Cytochem.Home page
S. O.S. Debeer, T. G.M. Baron, and A. A. Bencsik
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Diagnosis Using PrPsc Immunohistochemistry on Fixed but Previously Frozen Brain Samples
J. Histochem. Cytochem., May 1, 2002; 50(5): 611 - 616.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Histochem. Cytochem.Home page
S. O.S. Debeer, T. G.M. Baron, and A. A. Bencsik
Immunohistochemistry of PrPsc Within Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Brain Samples with Graded Autolysis
J. Histochem. Cytochem., December 1, 2001; 49(12): 1519 - 1524.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Toxicol SciHome page
V. C. Moser, S. Barone Jr., R. J. Smialowicz, M. W. Harris, B. J. Davis, D. Overstreet, M. Mauney, and R. E. Chapin
The Effects of Perinatal Tebuconazole Exposure on Adult Neurological, Immunological, and Reproductive Function in Rats
Toxicol. Sci., August 1, 2001; 62(2): 339 - 352.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]