title: Do cerebrospinal fluid transfer methods affect measured amyloid β42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau in clinical practice?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurodegenerative markers are measured clinically to support a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Several preanalytical factors may alter the CSF concentrations of amyloid β 1-42 (Aβ1-42) in particular with the potential to influence diagnosis. We aimed to determine whether routine handling of samples alters measured biomarker concentration compared with that of prompt delivery to the laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty individuals with suspected neurodegenerative diseases underwent diagnostic lumbar punctures using a standardized technique. A sample of each patient's CSF was sent to the laboratory by four different delivery methods: (1) by courier at room temperature; (2) by courier, on ice; (3) using standard hospital portering; and (4) after quarantining for >24 hours. Aβ1-42, total tau (t-tau), and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) levels measured using standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques were compared between transfer methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in Aβ1-42, t-tau, or p-tau concentrations measured in samples transported via the different delivery methods despite significant differences in time taken to deliver samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When CSF is collected in appropriate tubes, transferred at room temperature, and processed within 24 hours, neurodegenerative markers can be reliably determined.
authors.affiliation: Dementia Research Centre, University College London Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
authors.forename: Ross W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Paterson
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Toombs
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroimmunology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
authors.forename: Miles D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.affiliation: Dementia Research Centre, University College London Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK; Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Amanda J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Heslegrave
authors.affiliation: Dementia Research Centre, University College London Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
authors.forename: Catherine F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Slattery
authors.affiliation: Dementia Research Centre, University College London Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
authors.forename: Alexander J M
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Foulkes
authors.affiliation: Dementia Research Centre, University College London Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
authors.forename: Camilla N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: Dementia Research Centre, University College London Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
authors.forename: Christopher A S
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.affiliation: Dementia Research Centre, University College London Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
authors.forename: Philip S J
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Weston
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroimmunology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Lunn
authors.affiliation: Dementia Research Centre, University College London Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
authors.forename: Nick C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK; Department of Neurochemistry and Psychiatry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zetterberg
authors.affiliation: Dementia Research Centre, University College London Institute of Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Schott
keywords: Biomarkers; Cerebrospinal fluid; Diagnosis; Prehandling