![]() The ability to pick up diseases that cause dementia accurately and early is also a key goal for research, as we must to be able to test potential new treatments in the right people. Using CSF in researchĪccurate diagnosis of a disease, like Alzheimer’s, that causes dementia using diagnostic tests is vital so that people can access the right care and treatments. For example, amyloid and tau protein build up in Alzheimer’s disease, and their levels can be measured in CSF. In recent years, research has shown that CSF tests can be a valuable tool for the detection of hallmark proteins that are involved in diseases that cause dementia. In June 2018, the guidelines for diagnosing dementia were updated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to include assessment of CSF by lumbar puncture where appropriate. Putting the results of several different investigations together helps doctors to give an accurate diagnosis. There is no one diagnostic test or ‘magic marker’ for the diseases that cause dementia. Other tests, like brain scans, blood tests and a lumbar puncture, may help the doctor to identify the cause of your symptoms. They will ask you to do some memory and thinking tests. If you are worried about memory problems, the doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. It also enables people to take part in dementia research via initiatives like Join Dementia Research. It gives people the opportunity to access treatments, care and support that allows them to plan for the future while they are still able to make important decisions. Using CSF to help diagnose dementiaĪn accurate diagnosis of dementia is important. Because these changes could indicate harmful changes happening in the brain that could be causing someone to experience symptoms of dementia. This is really helpful for diagnosis and research in neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have shown that levels of these biomarkers in CSF can mirror biochemical changes occurring in the brain. ![]() ![]() Because of this, these molecules are called biomarkers. It supplies nerve cells with nutrients.ĬSF contains molecules that can act as markers of normal or abnormal biological processes, or flag that someone may have a particular condition or disease.What is cerebrospinal fluid?Ĭerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colourless fluid that fills the spaces that surround our brains and spinal cord. Here, Dr Cath Mummery aims to answer your questions about lumbar punctures, what the procedure involves and why it is used. Sometimes doctors take samples of spinal fluid using a lumbar puncture, to help make a diagnosis of a form of dementia like Alzheimer’s disease.
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