CSF biomarker profiles do not differentiate between the cerebellar and parkinsonian phenotypes of multiple system atrophy.
BACKGROUND
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) can clinically be divided into the cerebellar (MSA-C) and the parkinsonian (MSA-P) variants. It is unknown whether the variation in clinical expression is also reflected by a different underlying neurochemical profile.


METHODS
We analyzed brain specific proteins and neurotransmitter metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 26 patients with MSA-C and 19 with MSA-P.


RESULTS
No differences were found between MSA-C and MSA-P.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the clinical and in part pathological distinction between the two clinical MSA phenotypes is not reflected by the neurochemical composition of CSF.
Abdo
W F
WF
Institute of Neurology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands. f.abdo@neuro.umcn.nl
van de Warrenburg
B P C
BP
Kremer
H P H
HP
Bloem
B R
BR
Verbeek
M M
MM
D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019578:Multiple System Atrophy / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000209:etiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D015415:Biomarkers; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents