title: Elevated CSF lactoferrin in superficial siderosis of the central nervous system.
abstract: This study sought to identify abnormalities in the levels of iron transport proteins in patients with superficial siderosis of the central nervous system. We compared patients with superficial siderosis (n = 7) with patients suffering from various other neurological disorders (n = 176, total). CSF and serum levels of lactoferrin, and CSF levels of transferrin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum transferrin was measured by nephelometry. Lactoferrin, but not transferrin, levels in the CSF were significantly elevated in superficial siderosis. Unexpectedly, CSF transferrin was decreased in multiple sclerosis patients. Enhanced CSF lactoferrin may reflect an increased iron transport requirement in the central nervous system in superficial siderosis and might be a useful measure for monitoring response to therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Medical School, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 3, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany. michael.weller@uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weller
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: List
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schabet
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Melms
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dichgans
mesh_terms: D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D012806:Siderosis / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D014168:Transferrin; D007781:Lactoferrin