Cerebrospinal fluid proteins and cells in normal-pressure hydrocephalus.
A total of 21 patients with normal-pressure hydrocephalus were examined. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected before and after operation with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. A slight plasma-like protein pattern indicating a blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction was seen in 38% of the patients before operation. No characteristic changes could be found in the "CSF-specific" protein fraction. After the shunt operation 65% of the patients had a BBB dysfunction to macromolecules and 70% had two additional acidic protein bands in the CSF-specific fraction. Ventricular CSF protein content was 73% of lumbar CSF content when shunts were patent. Isotope encephalography showed a radionuclide accumulation at the intracranial part of the shunt system, indicating that the BBB damage might be located round the shunt catheter.
D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006850:Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D007525:Isoelectric Focusing; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins