Cajal and de Castro's Neurohistological Methods

Miguel A Merchán, Javier De Felipe, and Fernando de Castro

First translation outside of the Spanish-speaking world of Cajal and De Castro's 1933 publication "Elementos de Técnica Micrográfica del Sistema Nervioso" (Principles of Micrographical Technique for the Nervous System)
Establishes all the various protocols that had been used in Cajal's laboratory by his students in order to provide a manual of histological procedures specifically designed for the fine structure of the nervous system
Provides a description of the procedures that yielded the birth of modern neuroscience.

Cajal and de Castro's Neurohistological Methods

Miguel A Merchán, Javier De Felipe, and Fernando de Castro

Description

Cajal and De Castro's Neurohistological Methods provides the first English translation of Fernando de Castro's 1933 publication "Elementos de Técnica Micrográfica del Sistema Nervioso." A student of the famed founder of modern neuroscience, with Santiago Ramon y Cajal also serving as the Editor of the original text, Fernando de Castro recorded all the various protocols that had been used in his laboratory by his students in order to provide a manual of histological procedures specifically designed for the fine structure of the nervous system. This renowned text is virtually unknown in its original form outside the Spanish-speaking world.

In a text that reads like a mix between a recipe book and an alchemical manuscript, authors Miguel Merchan, Javier DeFelipe, and Fernando de Castro (descendant of the 1933 publication's author) put the new translation into historical context. This book is also beautifully illustrated with plates of histological techniques, provides a quick guide to new vocabulary, and the author's notes on the translated text. This pivotal work of classic neurohistological techniques is a wonderful addition to the Cajal library.

Cajal and de Castro's Neurohistological Methods

Miguel A Merchán, Javier De Felipe, and Fernando de Castro

Principles of Micrographical Techniques for the Nervous System
Dedication
Preliminary Information
List of Plates

Section I
Historical Context
CHAPTER I
Authors and Their Backgrounds by JAIME A. MERCHAN and JORGE PRIETO
Section II
Basic Histological Techniques

Chapter II
The Microscope and the Fixatives
I. Microscope
II. Fixatives
Formaldehyde-based Fixatives
Fixatives with Osmic Acid
Fixatives Based on Hypnotic Substances
CHAPTER III
Decalcifying Agents
CHAPTER IV
General Dissociation Procedures
Dissociation
Sectioning
Frozen Section Procedure (EN 8)
Celloidin and Collodion Embedding
Paraffin Embedding
Gelatin Embedding
Superficial Paraffin Imbedding
CHAPTER V
Handling and Mounting Serial Sections
Sections of celloidin-embedded material
Sections of paraffin-embedded material
CHAPTER VI
General Staining Methods
Some Remarks on the Staining Process
Sources and Composition of Dyes
CHAPTER VII
Formulae for Carmine and Haematoxylin
Double and Triple Stains
Modifications of the Iron-Haematoxylin. Methods for the Staining of Mitochondria
CHAPTER VIII
Section Mounting and Preservation
Mounting Sections that Require Previous Dehydration and Clarifying
Section Mounting without Dehydration and Clarifying
Section III
Special Techniques
CHAPTER IX
Methods for the Demonstration of Neuronal Morphology
CHAPTER X
Continuation of the Methods for Demonstrating the Morphology of Neurons
Fixation, Sectioning and Mounting Techniques for Methylene Blue Stained Material
CHAPTER XI
Methods to Study the Structure of the Nerve Cell
Nissl Chromatic Bodies
Methods for Staining the Neurofibrils
Silver Impregnation Methods
Impregnation Of The Golgi Apparatus
Demonstration of Plastosomes, Centrosome, Oxidases and Pigmentary Spherules
Nucleus and Cell Membrane
CHAPTER XII
Staining of Neuronal Axons in the Centres
CHAPTER XIII
Myelin Staining
CHAPTER XIV
Colouration of the Macroglia, Microglia and Oligodendroglia
Macroglia
Demonstration of the Gliosomes and Mitochondria
Impregnation of Oligodendroglia and Microglia
CHAPTERXV
Methods to Demonstrate the Connective Tissue
Methods For Staining The Connective Tissue
Impregnation Methods for Connective Tissue
Supravital Staining with Acidic Dyes
CHAPTER XVI
Methods for the Demonstration of Substances Produced by Alterations of the Cell Metabolism
Demonstration of some Cell Granules
Demonstration of Fats and Lipoid Substances
Demonstration of Ferric Pigments
Demonstration of non-Ferric Pigments
Glycogen Demonstration
Demonstration of Amyloid Substance and Corpora Amylacea
Demonstration of Hyaline Degeneration
Calcareous Substances
CHAPTER XVII
Methods for the Demonstration of the Peripheral Nerves under both Normal and Pathological Conditions
Demonstration of Ranvier Nodes
Methods to Stain the Schwann Cells
Methods for Myelin Staining
Lantermann Incisures; Spiral Apparatus; Spinous Double Bracelet; Neurokeratin Network (EN 48)
Demonstration of the Cylinder-Axis and Neurofibrils
Demonstration of the Connective Tissue of Nerve Trunks (Endoneurium, Perineurium and Epineurium)
CHAPTER XVIII
Methods for the Demonstration of Peripheral Nerve Endings
Gold Chloride Methods
Demonstration of Nerve Endings with the Golgi Method
Demonstration of Peripheral Nerve Endings with Ehrlich's Methylene Blue Procedure
Neurofibrillary Methods Capable of Demonstrating the Nerve Endings
Methods to Demonstrate the Nerve Trunks and Nerve Endings in Organs Protected by Bone Tissue
Procedures for Staining the Sympathetic and Dorsal Root Ganglia
CHAPTERXIX
Techniques for the Demonstration of the Nervous Tissue of Invertebrates
Methods Capable of Revealing the Morphology of Neurons
Methods for Staining Neurofibrils
CHAPTER XX
Methods for Demonstrating some Pathogenic Microorganisms
Demonstration of the Syphilis Treponema
Demonstration of the Trypanosomes in Sleeping Sickness
Colouration of Negri Bodies in Rabies
Demonstration of the Tuberculosis Bacillus

Editors' Notes
Vocabulary by the Editors
Bibliography

Cajal and de Castro's Neurohistological Methods

Miguel A Merchán, Javier De Felipe, and Fernando de Castro

Author Information

Miguel A. Merhcán is a Professor of Histology at the University of Salamanca in Spain.

Javier De Felipe is Profesor de Investigación at the Instituto Cajal (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas) and Centro de Tecnología Biomédica in Madrid, Spain.

Fernando de Castro is a member of the Instituto Cajal, Grupo de Neurobiologia del Desarrollo-GNDe and Instituto Cajal (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas) in Madrid, Spain.