Histotechnology Technical methods

TECHNIQUE FOR SENILE PLAQUES

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HAGA-YAMAGCHI METHENAMINE SILVER TECHNIQUE

SECTIONS
8µm paraffin wax sections.

SOLUTIONS

(i) 5% Hexamine (Methenamine)
(ii) 5% Sodium Tetraborate (Borax)
(iii) 5% Silver Nitrate

WORKING SOLUTION

  • 5% Hexamine 500mls
  • 5% Sodium Tetraborate 25mls
  • 5% Silver Nitrate 25mls

Add the reagents in the above order ie silver nitrate last.

(iv) 10% formalin in tap water.

METHOD

  1. Take sections to water.
  2. Rinse in distilled water.
  3. Place sections in 'working solution' for 3-4 hours at 60C.
  4. Check microscopic appearance of plaques and tangles at regular intervals until stained black.
  5. Rinse in distilled water.
  6. Place sections in 10% formalin in tap water for 5 minutes.
  7. Rinse in tap water.
  8. Place sections in 5% sodium thiosulphate for 5 minutes.
  9. Rinse in tap water.
  10. Dehydrate, clear . Mount sections in DPX

RESULTS

  • Senile plaque amyloid - black.
  • Some tangles - black
  • Background - yellow/brown.

NOTE: No responsibility is assumed by The University of Nottingham or the Queens Medical Centre NHS Trust for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein. It is the users responsibilty to ensure that all procedures are carried out according to appropriate Health and Safety requirements.

© Copyright 1997 University of Nottingham Medical School Division of Histopathology. This page was last built on Mon, May 5, 1997 with Frontier. Thanks for looking in. Comments to James.Lowe@nottingham.ac.uk