Paul_2010_Cold.Spring.Harb.Protoc_2010_pdb prot4806

The stain described here is a relatively simple method to determine the distribution of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in brain sections. In addition, the intensity of the stain is an indication of the quantity of the enzyme present. It has been suggested that the distribution of AChE should correspond to the distribution of acetylcholine; however, it has been shown that this not always true. In this protocol, free-floating sections are incubated in an acetylthiocholine and copper-buffered solution at 40C until the hippocampus shows signs of staining (turning white). The stain is then developed with a silver solution so that the stained areas appear brown.