Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
1998-4-29
pubmed:abstractText
Preparing for a retrospective study of senile degeneration in schizophrenia, we had occasion to explore the suitability of an old collection formalin-fixed brains and paraffin blocks for study by modern staining methods. Tissue that had been in formalin for 50 years was embedded in paraffin. Sections were then stained with thioflavine S and with immunoperoxidase stains using Alz 50 and antibodies to paired helical filaments, ubiquitin, and beta-amyloid. In all 4 cases that had originally (50 years earlier) received neuropathologic diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease, large numbers of neocortical senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles were clearly demonstrated by thioflavine S stain and by immunohistochemistry for paired helical filaments, ubiquitin, and beta-amyloid. In each of 4 other cases, in which the original neuropathologic examination had not revealed Alzheimer's disease, no plaques or tangles were observed. Immunoreactivity with Alz 50 was completely absent after 50 years in formalin. Examination of additional cases of Alzheimer's disease revealed that Alz 50 immunoreactivity was well preserved after 10 years in formalin and completely absent after 30 years in formalin. Alzheimer's disease tissue stored in paraffin for 30 years was clearly stained by all modalities. We conclude that immunohistochemical identification of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles is practical even after decades of storage in formalin or paraffin. The applicability of techniques that did not exist when these specimens were collected indicates that the systematic, permanent retention of formalin-fixed material may yield unanticipated future benefits.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
0722-5091
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
17
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
45-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2010-11-18
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:articleTitle
Archival, formalin-fixed tissue: its use in the study of Alzheimer's type changes.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.