Proteins In Cerebrospinal Fluid Predict Progression From Clinically Isolated Syndrome To Clinically Definite MS, Study Shows

Physicians may be able to determine which patients will ultimately develop clinically definite MS after a clinically isolated syndrome by testing the levels of certain proteins cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid in and around a patient's brain, according to research published in the April/May issue of the journal Multiple Sclerosis.

Researchers tested the cerebrospinal fluid from 52 participants who had had a clinically isolated syndrome, 38 participants with relapsing-remitting MS and 25 age-matched healthy controls for levels of the proteins, known as tau and neurofilaments, to determine whether these levels were indicative of future development of MS.

Participants who had had a clinically isolated syndrome or relapsing-remitting MS had significantly higher levels of the proteins in their cerebrospinal fluid than control subjects. Additionally, participants with relapsing-remitting MS who had an acute relapse had higher levels of neurofilaments than participants with stable disease.

Higher levels of the proteins also correlated with worse scores on the Expanded Disability Status Scale.

Used alone, testing the levels of the proteins was more sensitive than magnetic resonance imaging at predicting the progression from a clinically isolated syndrome to clinically definite MS. Combining the protein levels with MRI pushed the sensitivity higher than either test alone.

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