Tau protein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): a blood–CSF barrier related evaluation in patients with various neurological diseases

Abstract

Tau protein (tau) is primarily localised in neurons, and after brain parenchymal damage its release into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is increased. The particular influences of blood–CSF barrier function and of disease topography on CSF tau levels have not been studied yet. CSF tau concentrations determined by enzyme-immunoassay in various neurological diseases ( n=61) were not dependent upon blood–CSF barrier dysfunction. Significant elevation of tau levels in patients with meningoencephalitis and cerebral hemorrhage indicates brain parenchymal damage. In contrast, tau levels remained normal in patients with bacterial meningitis if encephalitic complications did not occur. In patients with Guillain–Barré syndrome tau levels were low. Increased tau levels in active multiple sclerosis compared to clinically nonactive states indicate axonal pathology in active disease.