A simple method of rapid freezing adequately preserves brain tissue for immunocytochemistry, light and electron microscopic examination

Acta Neuropathol. 1993;86(6):645-50. doi: 10.1007/BF00294305.

Abstract

A simple and reproducible method for cryopreservation of brain tissue from patients with Alzheimer's disease is described. Fresh brain slices (1 cm thick) obtained less than 6 h postmortem are placed in sealed plastic bags, sandwiched between 0.3-cm-thick aluminium sheets, and frozen by placing the entire "sandwich" between layers of dry ice pellets. The frozen brain slices are stored at -85 degrees C. Specific anatomic areas can be retrieved at any time for light and electron microscopic, immunocytochemical, autoradiographic and neurochemical studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / analysis
  • Brain / cytology*
  • Brain / ultrastructure*
  • Cryopreservation / methods*
  • Female
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / analysis
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurites / pathology
  • Neurites / ultrastructure
  • Time Factors
  • tau Proteins / analysis

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • tau Proteins