title: Microwave-enhanced silver staining of degenerating neuronal processes.
abstract: A simple and rapid method for light and electron microscopic visualization of degenerating neuronal processes and axon terminals is described. Hundred-micrometer vibratome sections of perfusion-fixed rat brain were incubated briefly in a 5% silver nitrate solution in a conventional microwave oven. After a rinse in 1% acetic acid, the sections were silver enhanced. Differentiation and counterstaining was done respectively in ethanol 100% and cresyl violet. In the light microscope, degenerating neuronal processes appeared as black dots against a clear background. Areas of calcification were also positively stained. The presence of silver deposits in degenerating presynaptic terminals and dendrites was confirmed ultrastructurally.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Janssen Research Foundation, Beerse, Belgium.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Van Deuren
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Reempts
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borgers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000473:pathology; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007608:Kainic Acid; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008872:Microwaves; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D016622:Silver Staining / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D007608:Kainic Acid