CSF biomarkers in the evaluation of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus

Acta Neurol Scand. 2007 Nov;116(5):333-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2007.00890.x.

Abstract

BACKGROUND - To evaluate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers for neuronal degeneration and demyelination in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH), subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy (SAE), and neurologically healthy subjects. METHODS - Lumbar CSF concentrations of sulfatide, neurofilament protein light (NFL), total-tau (T-tau), hyperphosphorylated tau (P-tau), and beta-amyloid(1-42) (Abeta42) were analyzed in 62 INPH patients, 26 SAE patients, and 23 neurologically healthy controls. In INPH patients, samples before and after shunt surgery were analysed. RESULTS - The CSF concentration of NFL was elevated in INPH and SAE compared with the controls, and levels of T-tau, P-tau, and Abeta42 were lower in INPH compared with SAE and controls. No difference was seen for sulfatide. All markers except Abeta42 were significantly elevated after shunt surgery. CONCLUSIONS - The most striking finding was the power of the combined pattern of NFL, P-tau, and Abeta42 in distinguishing between the clinical diagnoses of INPH, SAE, and neurologically healthy elderly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / analysis
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / chemistry*
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure / physiology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / diagnosis*
  • Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / physiopathology
  • Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / diagnosis
  • Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / physiopathology
  • Intracranial Hypertension / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Intracranial Hypertension / diagnosis
  • Intracranial Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Degeneration / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Nerve Degeneration / diagnosis*
  • Nerve Degeneration / etiology
  • Neurofilament Proteins / analysis
  • Neurofilament Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Peptide Fragments / analysis
  • Peptide Fragments / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sulfoglycosphingolipids / analysis
  • Sulfoglycosphingolipids / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Up-Regulation / physiology
  • tau Proteins / analysis
  • tau Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Biomarkers
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Sulfoglycosphingolipids
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-42)
  • neurofilament protein L
  • tau Proteins