[Cerebrospinal fluid in multiple sclerosis]

Recently, a revised diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis(MS) was published. In this paper, the cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) findings in MS were reviewed, with reference to this criteria. CSF abnormality was defined by the presence of oligoclonal IgG bands and/or the presence of an elevated IgG index in the criteria. Some differences in the grade of pleocytosis and protein content, and the frequency of IgG abnormalities were revealed between Japanese and western MS patients. Other CSF findings such as antibodies against myelin proteins, cytokines and chemokines were also discussed.