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 process, water and lipids in biological tissues are replaced by curable polymers which are subsequently hardened, resulting in dry, odorless and durable specimens. In neuroanatomy silicone and polyester resins are used. Silicone rubber is used for whole brains and brain dissections resulting in natural looking specimens. Polyester resin is used for brain slices resulting in an excellent distinction between gray and white matter. The silicone S 10 standard technique and the polyester P 35 technique are described in detail. The advantages of plastinated specimens in neuroanatomy teaching and research are discussed.