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Published on: March 19, 2018
CSF β-amyloid is not a prognostic marker in multiple sclerosis patients
Justine Petitfour1, Xavier Ayrignac1, Nelly Ginestet2
1Département de Neurologie, Univ Montpellier, INM, INSERM, MS Referral Centre & Reference Centre for Adult-Onset Leukodystrophies, CHU Montpellier, 80 Av Augustin Fliche, Montpellier 34295, France.
Background:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic inflammatory, demyelinating disorder. Given its variable prognosis, the identification of new prognostic biomarkers is needed.
Objectives:
The aims of our study were to assess the prognostic values of CSF β-amyloid-42 (Aβ42) and β-amyloid-40 (Aβ40) levels in MS patients.
Methods:
Eighty-nine (55 RRMS, 34 PPMS) patients with a recent diagnosis and 27 controls were included in this single-centre retrospective study. Clinical, MRI and CSF data have been collected and were analysed to evaluate the potential value of CSF Aβ42 and Aβ40 levels as MS biomarkers.
Results:
CSF Aβ levels as well as Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio were identical in MS patients and controls. Although CSF Aβ42 and Aβ40 levels were higher in PPMS than in RRMS and in patients with higher EDSS, a multivariate analysis including age and EDSS demonstrated that only age of patients was associated with CSF amyloid levels. Additionally, 55 RRMS patients were followed for 3 years. We found no association between baseline amyloid levels and 3-year disability.
Conclusion:
Our data do not support an association between CSF amyloid levels and MS status and disease severity. We suggest that CSF amyloid levels are not a prognostic biomarker in recently diagnosed RRMS.
Insights
Cerebrospinal fluid amyloid levels do not predict multiple sclerosis (MS) prognosis. This study found no association between CSF Aβ42/Aβ40 levels and disease severity or 3-year disability in MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a leading cause of chronic inflammatory demyelination with variable prognosis.
- Identifying reliable prognostic biomarkers is crucial for effective MS management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prognostic value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) beta-amyloid-42 (Aβ42) and beta-amyloid-40 (Aβ40) levels in MS patients.
- To assess the potential of CSF amyloid levels as biomarkers for MS status and disease progression.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical, MRI, and CSF data from 89 recently diagnosed MS patients (55 RRMS, 34 PPMS) and 27 controls.
- Evaluation of CSF Aβ42 and Aβ40 levels and their ratio.
- Multivariate analysis considering age and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
- 3-year follow-up of 55 RRMS patients to assess disability progression.
Main Results:
- CSF amyloid-beta (Aβ) levels and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio did not differ between MS patients and controls.
- Higher CSF Aβ42 and Aβ40 levels were observed in primary progressive MS (PPMS) compared to relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and in patients with higher EDSS.
- Only patient age, not EDSS or MS subtype, was associated with CSF amyloid levels in multivariate analysis.
- No correlation was found between baseline CSF amyloid levels and 3-year disability progression in RRMS patients.
Conclusions:
- CSF amyloid levels are not associated with MS status or disease severity.
- CSF amyloid levels do not appear to be a prognostic biomarker in recently diagnosed RRMS.
- Further research may be needed to identify reliable prognostic markers for MS.

