Demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), damage the myelin sheath that protects nerve fibers (Loss of the myelin sheath is known as demyelination).
While there are several stains that can be used to demonstrate myelin, all with different coloration, luxol fast blue (LFB) has been most useful in laboratories. In addition to demonstrating myelin, it also differentiates between white and gray matter of the brain. Tissue sections that have been stained with LFB can be counterstained to show additional cellular structures.
