Tau protein in cerebrospinal fluid: a possible marker of poor outcome in patients with early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Neurosci Lett. 2004 Jun 3;363(1):14-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2004.03.039.

Abstract

We analyzed the prognostic value of Tau protein, a marker of axonal damage, detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). We sampled the CSF from 32 patients with probable or definite RRMS, having had the disease for less than 5 years. We studied the relationship between Tau protein concentration in the CSF (CSF-TAU) and disability, time to next relapse and time to experience a one point increase on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). CSF-TAU was correlated with the Progression Index at the end of follow-up. Patients with higher CSF-TAU experienced a more rapid one point increase in the EDSS. CSF-TAU was the only independent variable to predict the time to next relapse. CSF-TAU, as a marker of axonal loss, may help us to predict short-term outcome in patients with early RRMS.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Disease Progression
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / diagnosis
  • Prognosis
  • Reference Values
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Spinal Puncture / methods
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Time Factors
  • tau Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • tau Proteins