Gold sublimate demonstrates which tissue component?

• A. Astrocytes
• B. Myelin
• C. Nissl substance
• D. Glial fibers

Answer: (A)

Gold sublimate is a metal-impregnation technique in neurohistology that highlights astrocytes. It deposits metallic deposits preferentially in the cytoplasm and fine processes of astrocytes, making their star-shaped appearance and extensive glial network stand out clearly in tissue sections. This specific staining pattern helps identify astrocytes, differentiating them from other CNS components. Myelin would be shown best with a myelin-specific stain, Nissl substance with a Nissl stain, and glial fibers are typically revealed with other silver impregnation methods, not the gold sublimate approach.