Innovative Tissue Preservation Technique Facilitates Brain-Organ Interaction Studies in Animal Models

Researchers at UC Davis Health have introduced a groundbreaking tissue preservation method that significantly advances the study of how the brain communicates with other vital organs such as the heart and gut in animal research. Unlike traditional techniques that preserve the entire body, making it difficult to examine living tissues, this new approach allows scientists to fix the brain tissue while simultaneously collecting undamaged, live samples from other organs. This dual-preservation strategy enables more comprehensive analyses, including histology, functional assays, and molecular studies, all within the same animal.

The innovation reduces the number of animals required for extensive research, aligning with ethical considerations and cost-efficiency. By preserving the brain tissue in a fixed state and maintaining the rest of the body’s tissues in a living, unfixed condition, scientists can explore complex brain-body interactions more effectively.

Professor Xiaodong Zhang emphasized that this method enhances animal research by maximizing data while minimizing animal use. It offers a versatile, easy-to-implement, and cost-effective tool for preclinical studies, making it possible to investigate mechanisms underlying neuro-organ communication with greater depth and accuracy. The technique holds promise for advancing our understanding of neurocardiology, gut-brain axis, and other vital neurophysiological pathways, ultimately fostering more insights into health and disease.

The full study is published in STAR Protocols. For more details, visit the original publication at link.