AUTHOR=Wuschek Alexander , Grahl Sophia , Pongratz Viola , Korn Thomas , Kirschke Jan , Zimmer Claus , Hemmer Bernhard , Mühlau Mark 

TITLE=CSF Protein Concentration Shows No Correlation With Brain Volume Measures

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2019.00463

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2019.00463

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> CSF protein concentrations vary greatly among individuals. Accounting for brain volume may lower the variance and increase the diagnostic value of CSF protein concentrations.</p><p><bold>Objective:</bold> To determine the relation between CSF protein concentrations and brain volume.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Brain volumes (total intracranial, gray matter, white matter volumes) derived from brain MRI and CSF protein concentrations (total protein, albumin, albumin CSF/serum ratio) of 29 control patients and 497 patients with clinically isolated syndrome or multiple sclerosis were studied.</p><p><bold>Finding:</bold> We found significant positive correlations of CSF protein concentrations with intracranial, gray matter, and white matter volumes. None of the correlations remained significant after correction for age and sex.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Accounting for brain volume derived from brain MRI is unlikely to improve the diagnostic value of protein concentrations in CSF.</p>