Dave Adams and Ben Snyder created the first transgenic mouse model in 1995. Histology played a role in the detection of the amyloid plaques surrounded by dystrophic neurites, and show profound synaptic loss, neurofibrillary tangle formation and gliosis.  The beta amyloid and Tau proteins are detected by antibodies used in immunohistochemistry. There are a whole host of different special stains for neuroglia, astrocytes, myelin sheath, neurofibril tangles and senile plaques.  The Bielschowsy stain shows neurofibrils and senile plaques black while the background is yellow-brown.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v373/n6514/abs/373523a0.html

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