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Brain and Tissue Bank Orig
Research Centers (General)Brain and Tissue Bank OrigBrain Protocol MethodsBrain Sectioning - Minimum Protocol

Brain Sectioning - Minimum Protocol

THE MINIMUM PROTOCOL IS DESIGNED FOR THOSE INSTANCES WHERE TIME AND AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES ARE LIMITED.  

IMPORTANT! It is essential that enough space be provided in the containers / bags so that the brain can fix and freeze in its natural shape. To distort the brain tissue to fit in the volume of a small container will render the tissue useless. 

  • STEP 1: Lift the brain and gently pull the brain to expose the upper portion of the cervical spinal column. Cut so that a portion of cervical spinal cord is also collected.
  • STEP 2: Section the whole brain into its left and right hemispheres (including the brainstem).
  • STEP 3: Fix the ENTIRE RIGHT HEMISPHERE in 10% formalin.
  • STEP 4: For the left hemisphere, remove the midbrain / brainstem / cerebellum as a unit by cutting just posterior to the cerebral peduncle.
  • STEP 5: Remove the cerebellum from the midbrain / brainstem / cerebellum unit.
  • STEP 6: Freeze the cerebrum, midbrain/brainstem and cerebellum in three separate plastic bags at -80o C.