Tau protein level in cerebrospinal fluid is increased in patients with early multiple sclerosis.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry
• Clinical Neurology

Background:

• Axonal damage is a primary cause of permanent disability in multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Tau protein, found in neuronal axons, can serve as a biomarker for axonal damage.
• Investigating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tau may offer insights into MS pathophysiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess axonal damage in various stages and subtypes of MS.
• To correlate CSF tau concentrations with disease activity and inflammatory markers.
• To evaluate tau protein as a biochemical marker for axonal injury in MS.

Main Methods:

• Tau protein levels were measured using immunoassay in CSF samples.
• Study included patients with clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, secondary progressive MS, primary progressive MS, and healthy controls.
• CSF tau levels were analyzed in relation to MRI findings (gadolinium-enhancing lesions) and intrathecal IgG synthesis.

Main Results:

• CSF tau was significantly elevated in MS patients compared to normal controls (p=0.002).
• No significant differences in tau levels were observed among MS subtypes, but levels were highest in early disease stages.
• Elevated CSF tau correlated with gadolinium-enhancing brain lesions (p=0.02) and showed a trend with increased intrathecal IgG synthesis.

Conclusions:

• CSF tau is a potential biomarker for axonal damage in MS.
• Axonal damage in MS appears to be influenced by inflammatory activity.
• Elevated tau levels may indicate active disease processes and potential for disability in MS.