Vol 4, No 2 (2001)
Brief communication
Submitted: 2012-01-23
Published online: 2001-07-23
Are CSF neopterin levels a marker of disease activity in multiple sclerosis?
Kostas Kapinas Magda Tsolaki, Demetrios Zaphiriou, Philip Grammaticos, Eleni Dedussi
Nucl. Med. Rev 2001;4(2):109-112.
Vol 4, No 2 (2001)
Short communications
Submitted: 2012-01-23
Published online: 2001-07-23
Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate neopterin levels in cerebro-spinal
fluid (CSF) as a marker of disease activation and progression
of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Neopterin, a substance known to be released from macrophages and monocytes at increased rates in cellular immune reactions, was investigated by radioimmunoassay, in the CSF
of 19 patients with MS during exacerbations of the disease, in
34 patients with other neurological diseases (OND) and in 20
normal subjects used as controls. Poser's criteria were used
for the diagnosis of MS.
Although elevated neopterin levels in the CSF of patients with
MS during exacerbations have been reported by other investigators, we found such elevation in only 4 out of 19 patients with MS
(21%), in 5 out of 34 patients with OND (14.7%), and in none of
the control group. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. There was no significant difference in the CSF values of the
MS patients, the patients with OND (p > 0.05) or the controls.
These results indicate that neopterin levels in CSF may not be
considered a marker of disease activity in MS.
Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate neopterin levels in cerebro-spinal
fluid (CSF) as a marker of disease activation and progression
of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Neopterin, a substance known to be released from macrophages and monocytes at increased rates in cellular immune reactions, was investigated by radioimmunoassay, in the CSF
of 19 patients with MS during exacerbations of the disease, in
34 patients with other neurological diseases (OND) and in 20
normal subjects used as controls. Poser's criteria were used
for the diagnosis of MS.
Although elevated neopterin levels in the CSF of patients with
MS during exacerbations have been reported by other investigators, we found such elevation in only 4 out of 19 patients with MS
(21%), in 5 out of 34 patients with OND (14.7%), and in none of
the control group. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. There was no significant difference in the CSF values of the
MS patients, the patients with OND (p > 0.05) or the controls.
These results indicate that neopterin levels in CSF may not be
considered a marker of disease activity in MS.
Keywords
multiple sclerosis; neopterin; cerebro-spinal fluid
Title
Are CSF neopterin levels a marker of disease activity in multiple sclerosis?
Journal
Nuclear Medicine Review
Issue
Vol 4, No 2 (2001)
Article type
Brief communication
Pages
109-112
Published online
2001-07-23
Page views
531
Article views/downloads
1385
Bibliographic record
Nucl. Med. Rev 2001;4(2):109-112.
Keywords
multiple sclerosis
neopterin
cerebro-spinal fluid
Authors
Kostas Kapinas Magda Tsolaki
Demetrios Zaphiriou
Philip Grammaticos
Eleni Dedussi