Nissl-staining is a widely used method to study morphology and pathology of neural tissue. After standard immunocytochemistry, the Nissl-staining labels only the nucleus of neurons and the characteristic staining of the neuronal perikarya is absent or very weak.15 Jul 2009
What does a Nissl stain target?
Target of the dye Nissl staining typically marks the ER due to ribosomal RNA as well as the nucleus and other accumulations of nucleic acid.20 May 2010
What do Nissl stains identify?
This stain is commonly used to identify the neuronal structure in brain and spinal cord tissue. The Cresyl Violet method uses basic aniline dye to stain RNA blue, and is used to highlight important structural features of neurons.
How do you do a Nissl stain?
- Wash slides briefly in tap water to remove any residual salts.
- Immerse slides through 2x3min changes of 100% ethanol.
- Defat the tissue: 15min in 100% xylene(2-3 changes as directed), then 10min in 100% ethanol.
- Rehydrate through alcohol (100% x2) 3min each.
- Wash in tap water.
- Stain in 0.1% Cresyl Violet 4-15min.
What is Nissl stain made of?
PRINCIPLE: Neurons contain Nissl substance, which is primarily composed of rough endoplasmic reticulum, with the amount, form, and distribution varying in different types of neurons. Because of the RNA content, Nissl substance is very basophilic and will be very sharply stained with basic aniline dyes.
Why do we use Nissl staining?
Nissl-staining is a widely used method to study morphology and pathology of neural tissue. The described method facilitates the mapping of immunocytochemical signals and makes possible the light microscopic examination of the innervation of neurons identified by their nuclear protein content.15 Jul 2009