Enhancing the effectiveness of teaching neuroanatomy: A comparative study using stained and unstained brain sections to interpret cross sectional neuroanatomy

Background

Neuroanatomy is considered one of the most challenging parts of anatomy curriculum and the complexity in understanding neuroanatomy generates from the lack of a 3-dimensional view of the structures. Since everything appears grey and white and is difficult to differentiate the various structures in a cross section of brain, staining aids in the visual interpretation and retention. There are various staining methods employed such as Mulligan's method, Alston's method, Prussian blue reaction method, however the results obtained by Alston's method was the best as gathered from previous literature.

Material and methods

The study was conducted in the department of Anatomy, formalin fixed brain slices measuring 10 mm thickness were stained using Alston's method. 250 medical students of the first professional year were demonstrated features such as the internal capsule, caudate nucleus, lentiform and thalamus in the stained and unstained transverse sections of cerebrum during their neuroanatomy practical sessions. Following which a feedback was collected regarding both the specimens using Microsoft Forms.

Results

There was a positive feedback from the students with 83 % of them preferring the stained over the unstained section. Excerpts from the open ended question where all in favour of the stained sections -“much easier to see and identify the parts in the stained section because of the clear distinction between white and grey matter”.

Conclusions

Macroscopic staining of sections of the brain using Alston's method could be implemented as a valuable method for effective teaching of neuroanatomy since students appreciated the structures better in the stained sections which enhanced their retention of neuroanatomy. Since Alston stain produces the least shrinkage, these stained sections could be utilized for research studies and such specimens could also be plastinated.