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Staining of Dead Neurons by the Golgi Method in Autopsy Material

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Neuronal Cell Death

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1254))

Abstract

Golgi silver impregnation techniques remain ideal methods for the visualization of the neurons as a whole in formalin fixed brains and paraffin sections , enabling to obtain insight into the morphological and morphometric characters of the dendritic arbor , and the estimation of the morphology of the spines and the spinal density , since they delineate the profile of nerve cells with unique clarity and precision. In addition, the Golgi technique enables the study of the topographic relationships between neurons and neuronal circuits in normal conditions, and the following of the spatiotemporal morphological alterations occurring during degenerative processes . The Golgi technique has undergone many modifications in order to be enhanced and to obtain the optimal and maximal visualization of neurons and neuronal processes, the minimal precipitations, the abbreviation of the time required for the procedure, enabling the accurate study and description of specific structures of the brain . In the visualization of the sequential stages of the neuronal degeneration and death , the Golgi method plays a prominent role in the visualization of degenerating axons and dendrites , synaptic “boutons ,” and axonal terminals and organelles of the cell body . In addition, new versions of the techniques increases the capacity of precise observation of the neurofibrillary degeneration, the proliferation of astrocytes , the activation of the microglia , and the morphology of capillaries in autopsy material of debilitating diseases of the central nervous system .

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and Ageing, Aristotelian University, Angelaki 5, Thessaloniki, 546 21, Greece

    Stavros J. Baloyannis

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  1. Stavros J. Baloyannis
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Correspondence to Stavros J. Baloyannis .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy

    Laura Lossi

  2. Dept. of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, Grugliasco, Torino, Italy

    Adalberto Merighi

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Baloyannis, S.J. (2015). Staining of Dead Neurons by the Golgi Method in Autopsy Material. In: Lossi, L., Merighi, A. (eds) Neuronal Cell Death. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1254. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2152-2_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2152-2_13

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2151-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2152-2

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