PLASTINATION IN THE NEUROSCIENCES

Plastination is a unique technique of tissue preservation developed by Dr. Gunther von Hagens in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1978. In this proce ss, water and lipids in biological tissues are replaced by curable pol ymers which are subsequently hardened, resulting in dry, odorless and durable specimens, In neuroanatomy silicone and polyester resins are u sed. Silicone rubber is used for whole brains and brain dissections re sulting in natural looking specimens. Polyester resin is used for brai n slices resulting in an excellent distinction between gray and white matter. The silicone S 10 standard technique and the polyester P 35 te chnique are described in detail, The advantages of plastinated specime ns in neuroanatomy teaching and research are discussed.