When neuronal injuries occur, Nissl substance is lost. If axon degeneration is present, the myelin covering also breaks down. The loss of Nissl substance (chromatolysis) and the breakdown of the myelin (demyelination) are indicative of neural injuries and other diseases like Alzheimer's. Combining the LFB and cresyl violet staining procedures can demonstrate both Nissl substance and myelin, or the lack thereof.
