Several advanced histological techniques are employed to study neurological diseases:
Immunohistochemistry
Immunohistochemistry uses antibodies to detect specific proteins within tissue sections. This technique is instrumental in identifying the presence of amyloid plaques, tau tangles, and Lewy bodies in various neurological diseases.
Fluorescence Microscopy
Fluorescence microscopy involves staining tissues with fluorescent dyes that bind to specific cellular components. This allows for the visualization of structures such as myelin sheaths, synapses, and cellular organelles in high detail.
Electron Microscopy
Electron microscopy provides extremely high-resolution images of tissue samples. It is used to observe the ultrastructure of neurons, glial cells, and synapses, providing insights into cellular and subcellular changes associated with neurological diseases.
In Situ Hybridization
In situ hybridization is used to detect specific nucleic acid sequences within tissue sections. This technique helps identify the expression patterns of genes associated with neurological diseases, contributing to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders.
