Microwave-cryostat technique for neuroanatomical studies.

A novel method to process nervous tissue for neuroanatomical studies is presented. In this cryostat method, the brain tissue is first treated with microwave irradiation after perfusion with physiological saline. Cutting quality of the microwave-treated brain tissue was excellent. The sections were stained with the Nissl staining, the Klüver-Barrera method, and the Bodian method, respectively. In addition, immunocytochemistry using the RAM/PO method was performed. For the latter a monoclonal antibody against neurofilament (NF90), recognizing the 200, 150, and 70 kD units was used. Excellent results were obtained. The advantage of the microwave-cryostat technique for processing of nervous tissue is not merely a substantial reduction of time to obtain microscopical slides of good quality. This method allows in addition the estimation of the effect of fixation by formaldehyde in immunocytochemistry.