Assessment of demyelination in glycol methacrylate sections: a new protocol for cresyl fast violet staining

A simple staining technique for nervous tissue is described. Tissue perfused with glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde and postfixed with osmium tetroxide is embedded in glycol methacrylate. One-micrometer sections are stained with 0.05% cresyl fast violet aqueous solution at 60 C for 5 min, washed with tap water and air dried. With this method the details of all nervous tissue elements are clearly demonstrated. The technique is particularly useful for assessing demyelination because the staining of axoplasm allows demyelinated axons to be well visualized.