Historical review: The golden age of the Golgi method in human neuropathology

Golgi methods were used to study human neuropathology in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s of the last century. Although a relatively small number of laboratories applied these methods, their impact was crucial by increasing knowledge about: (1) the morphology, orientation, and localization of neurons in human cerebral and cerebellar malformations and ganglionic tumors, and (2) the presence of abnormal structures including large and thin spines (spine dysgenesis) in several disorders linked to mental retardation, focal enlargements of the axon hillock and dendrites (meganeurites) in neuronal storage diseases, growth cone-like appendages in Alzheimer disease, as well as abnormal structures in other dementias. Although there were initial concerns about their reliability, reduced dendritic branches and dendritic spines were identified as common alterations in mental retardation, dementia, and other pathological conditions. Similar observations in appropriate experimental models have supported many abnormalities that were first identified using Golgi methods in human material. Moreover, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, fluorescent tracers, and combined methods have proven the accuracy of pioneering observations uniquely visualized as 3D images of fully stained individual neurons. Although Golgi methods had their golden age many years ago, these methods may still be useful complementary tools in human neuropathology.