Selected Journal Articles
Supporting the Scientific Basis of Cryonics

• First demonstration that both the viability and structure of complex neural networks can be well preserved by vitrification.
  Pichugin Y, Fahy GM, Morin R, in: Cryobiology (2006, vol. 52), "Cryopreservation of rat hippocampal slices by vitrification", pg. 228-240. Full paper here [PDF].
  
  
• First discussion of cryonics in a major medical journal.
  Whetstine L, Streat S, Darwin M, Crippen D, in: Critical Care (2005, vol. 9), "Pro/con ethics debate: When is dead really dead?", pg. 538-542. Excerpt here.
  

• Brief discussion of the complete technical problem of cryonics, including application after cardiac arrest, and the high quality of brain preservation now achievable with vitrification.    
  Lemler J, Harris SB, Platt C, Huffman T, in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (2004, vol. 1019), "The Arrest of Biological Time as a Bridge to Engineered Negligible Senescence", pg. 559-563. Full paper here.
  
  
• Successful transplanation of kidneys after cooling to -45° C.
  Fahy GM, Wowk B, Wu J, Phan J, Rasch C, Chang A, Zendejas E, in: Cryobiology (2004, vol. 48), "Cryopreservation of organs by vitrification: perspectives and recent advances", pg. 157-178. Full paper here [PDF].
  
  
• Rigorous demonstration of memory retention following profound hypothermia, confirming theoretical expectation and clinical experience.
  Alam HB, Bowyer MW, Koustova E, Gushchin V, Anderson D, Stanton K, Kreishman P, Cryer CM, Hancock T, Rhee P, in: Surgery (2002, vol. 132), "Learning and memory is preserved after induced asanguineous hyperkalemic hypothermic arrest in a swine model of traumatic exsanguination", pg. 278-88.
  
  
• First successful application of vitrification to a relatively large tissue of medical interest.     
  Song YC, Khirabadi BS, Lightfoot F, Brockbank KG, Taylor MJ, in: Nature Biotechnology (2000, vol. 18), "Vitreous cryopreservation maintains the function of vascular grafts", pg. 296-299.
  
  
• Detailed discussion of the application of nanotechnology to revive cryonics patients.
  Merkle RC, in: Medical Hypotheses (1992, vol. 39), "The technical feasibility of cryonics", pg. 6-16. Expanded full paper version here.
  
  
• Paper showing that dogs can be recovered after three hours of total circulatory arrest ("clinical death") at 0°C (32°F). This supports the reversibility of the hypothermic phase of cryonics.
  Haneda K, Thomas R, Sands MP, Breazeale DG, Dillard DH, in: Cryobiology (1986, vol. 23), "Whole body protection during three hours of total circulatory arrest: an experimental study", pg. 483-494.
  
  
• First paper showing that large organs can be cryopreserved without structural damage from ice.
  Fahy GM, MacFarlane DR, Angell CA, Meryman HT, in: Cryobiology (1984, vol. 21), "Vitrification as an approach to cryopreservation", pg. 407-426.
  
  
• First paper suggesting that nanotechnology could reverse freezing injury.
  Drexler KE, in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (1981, vol. 78), "Molecular engineering: An approach to the development of general capabilities for molecular manipulation", pg. 5275-5278. Full paper here.
  
  
• Follow-up paper showing partial recovery of brain electrical activity after 7 years of frozen storage.
  Suda I, Kito K, Adachi C, in: Brain Research (1974, vol. 70), "Bioelectric discharges of isolated cat brain after revival from years of frozen storage", pg. 527-531.
  
  
• First paper showing recovery of a mammalian organ after cooling to -196°C (liquid nitrogen temperature) and subsequent transplantation.
  Hamilton R, Holst HI, Lehr HB, in: Journal of Surgical Research (1973, vol 14), "Successful preservation of canine small intestine by freezing", pg. 313-318.
  
  
• First paper to propose cryonics by neuropreservation.
  Martin G, in: Perspectives in Biology and Medicine (1971, vol. 14), "Brief proposal on immortality: an interim solution", pg. 339.
  
  
• Paper showing recovery of brain electrical activity after freezing to -20°C.
  Suda I, Kito K, Adachi C, in: Nature (1966, vol. 212), "Viability of long term frozen cat brain in vitro", 268-270.
  

For many more references, see the articles in the Alcor Library section on The Scientific Basis for Cryonics.