biostudies-literatureUnknown18Ma W<h4>Purpose</h4>Immunohistochemical (IHC) and histochemical (HC) staining techniques are widely used on human brains that are post-fixed in formalin and stored in brain banks worldwide for varying durations, from months to decades. Understanding the effects of prolonged post-fixation, postmortem interval (PMI), and age on these staining procedures is important for accurately interpreting their outcomes, thereby improving the diagnosis and research of brain disorders afflicting millions of people worldwide.<h4>Methods</h4>In this study, we conducted both IHC and HC staining on the prefrontal cortex of postmortem human brains post-fixed for 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years. For IHC staining, we used two antibodies for each marker: the neuron marker neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN), the astrocyte maFrontiers in neuroanatomy1477973https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11602276biostudies-literatureDifferential effects of prolonged post-fixation on immunohistochemical and histochemical staining for postmortem human brains.PMC11602276Frigon EMZeighami YDadar MMaranzano JMa WfalseDifferential effects of prolonged post-fixation on immunohistochemical and histochemical staining for postmortem human brains.<h4>Purpose</h4>Immunohistochemical (IHC) and histochemical (HC) staining techniques are widely used on human brains that are post-fixed in formalin and stored in brain banks worldwide for varying durations, from months to decades. Understanding the effects of prolonged post-fixation, postmortem interval (PMI), and age on these staining procedures is important for accurately interpreting their outcomes, thereby improving the diagnosis and research of brain disorders afflicting millions of people worldwide.<h4>Methods</h4>In this study, we conducted both IHC and HC staining on the prefrontal cortex of postmortem human brains post-fixed for 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years. For IHC staining, we used two antibodies for each marker: the neuron marker neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN), the astrocyte ma2024-01-01T00:00:00Z20242025-04-05T09:30:38.187Z2025-04-05T09:30:38.187ZS-EPMC116022763961111810.3389/fnana.2024.1477973