Neuroscientists today can preserve small volumes (<1mm³) of animal brain tissue immediately after death with incredible precision — the features and structure of every synapse within these volumes is well-protected down to the nanometer scale, using an inexpensive, room-temperature process of chemical fixation and plastic embedding, or “plastination.” This image is an example of plastination and local circuit tracing, occurring in leading neuroscience labs around the world today. (Credit: Brain Preservation Foundation)

Chemical brain preservation: how to live ‘forever’ — a personal view