[The effect of formalin fixation on several properties of the brain]

Described in this paper are the effects on formalin fixation of 106 human brains autopsied at a large neuropsychiatric hospital. Mass and volume of the brains changed considerably during a 3-week fixation period. On average mass increased by 50 g, volume by 57 ml. Mean brain density decreased during the first week and attained its final value almost at the end of the third week. Most changes seem to happen during the first week. Male and female brains behaved differently. Formulas to predict at autopsy time mass and volume of the brain after 3-week fixation in formalin are presented. Possible interpretations of our findings are discussed and compared with results reported by previous workers on this subject.