Diagnostic histochemistry in neuropathology.

Neuropathologists have a long and storied history of utilizing histochemistry in the characterization and diagnosis of neurological diseases. This review considers stains that are used for the identification of neurons, neuritic processes and axons, myelin sheaths, neuroglial cells, and connective tissue in the nervous system. Rapid histochemical-smear methods for intraoperative diagnosis are also discussed, along with possible roles for lectin-histochemistry in diagnostic neuropathology.