Novel Technique may Help Spot Alterations in Brain Circulation: StudyMonday, February 20, 2017
U.K., Jan. 5 -- A recent study published in the Journal of Anatomy has revealed that an innovative and inexpensive method may help identify early signs of diseases by analyzing and quantifying blood vessels in the brain. This may help scientists clearly understand the mechanism by the means of which dementia, brain cancer and stroke affect veins and capillaries in the tubular structure. Researchers from the University of Surrey and the Federal University of Sao Paulo collaborated for the study conducted over experimental animal models. The technique, 3D Image Analysis (Stereology), dissolves China ink with gelatin and develops a solution making blood vessels more visible with the use of a confocal microscope. The innovative approach would allow scientists and pathologists to make an accurate reading of the number, surface area, and length of blood vessels and create 3D images which can play a significant role in recognizing changes in their shape and size. In addition, the technique can also be used in post mortems and biopsies examinations of animal and human tissue, and help quickly recognize changes in the brain circulation or tumors. The co-author of the study believes that the procedure marks a significant breakthrough in the fight against dementia, provided that roughly 850,000 individuals are diagnosed with the disease in England.