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S100B protein in neurodegenerative disorders
Johann Steiner1, Bernhard Bogerts, Matthias L Schroeter
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany. johann.steiner@med.ovgu.de
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
|February 10, 2011
Summary
S100B protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid and serum are not reliable markers for diagnosing or monitoring neurodegenerative diseases due to lack of specificity and confounding factors. Further research is limited by small studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomarker Research
- Neurology
Background:
- Neurodegenerative diseases share common features like neuronal loss and myelin reduction.
- Altered astrocyte and oligodendrocyte gene expression occurs in psychiatric disorders.
- S100B, found in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, is explored as a potential neurodegeneration biomarker.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing studies on S100B's role in diagnosing and monitoring neurodegeneration.
- To assess the utility of S100B concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum.
Main Methods:
- Review of postmortem, CSF, and serum studies examining S100B.
- Analysis of S100B expression and concentration data in relation to neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Main Results:
- Many studies are small and single-centered.
- Widespread S100B expression outside the brain creates confounding factors.
- S100B lacks disease specificity, limiting its diagnostic value.
- No consistent correlation found between S100B levels and disease severity.
Conclusions:
- S100B is not recommended for differential diagnosis of suspected neurodegenerative disorders.
- S100B has limited utility for monitoring disease progression.
- The widespread expression of S100B hinders its use as a specific biomarker.
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