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Towards a unified protocol for handling of CSF before β-amyloid measurements

Janelidze, Shorena LU ; Stomrud, Erik LU orcid ; Brix, Britta and Hansson, Oskar LU orcid (2019) In Alzheimer's Research and Therapy 11(1).
Abstract

Background: Widespread implementation of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in routine clinical practice requires the establishment of standard operating procedures for pre-analytical handling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Methods: Here, CSF collection and storage protocols were optimized for measurements of β-amyloid (Aβ). We investigated the effects of (1) storage temperature, (2) storage time, (3) centrifugation, (4) sample mixing, (5) blood contamination, and (6) collection gradient on CSF levels of Aβ. For each study participant, we used fresh CSF directly collected into a protein low binding (LoB) tube that was analyzed within hours after lumbar puncture (LP) as standard of truth. Aβ42 and Aβ40 were measured in de-identified CSF... (More)

Background: Widespread implementation of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in routine clinical practice requires the establishment of standard operating procedures for pre-analytical handling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Methods: Here, CSF collection and storage protocols were optimized for measurements of β-amyloid (Aβ). We investigated the effects of (1) storage temperature, (2) storage time, (3) centrifugation, (4) sample mixing, (5) blood contamination, and (6) collection gradient on CSF levels of Aβ. For each study participant, we used fresh CSF directly collected into a protein low binding (LoB) tube that was analyzed within hours after lumbar puncture (LP) as standard of truth. Aβ42 and Aβ40 were measured in de-identified CSF samples using EUROIMMUN and Mesoscale discovery assays. Results: CSF Aβ42 and Aβ40 were stable for at least 72 h at room temperature (RT), 1 week at 4 °C, and 2 weeks at - 20 °C and - 80 °C. Centrifugation of non-blood-contaminated CSF or mixing of samples before the analysis did not affect Aβ levels. Addition of 0.1-10% blood to CSF that was stored at RT without centrifugation led to a dose- and time-dependent decrease in Aβ42 and Aβ40, while Aβ42/Aβ40 did not change. The effects of blood contamination were mitigated by centrifugation and/or storage at 4 °C or - 20 °C. Aβ levels did not differ between the first to fourth 5-ml portions of CSF. Conclusions: CSF can be stored for up to 72 h at RT, 1 week at 4 °C, or at least 2 weeks at either - 20 °C or - 80 °C before Aβ measurements. Centrifugation of fresh non-blood-contaminated CSF after LP, or mixing before analysis, is not required. In case of visible blood contamination, centrifugation and storage at 4 °C or - 20 °C is recommended. After discarding the first 2 ml, any portion of up to 20 ml of CSF is suitable for Aβ analysis. These findings will be important for the development of a clinical routine protocol for pre-analytical handling of CSF.

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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, Biomarkers, Cerebrospinal fluid, Pre-analytical variables, β-Amyloid
in
Alzheimer's Research and Therapy
volume
11
issue
1
article number
63
publisher
BioMed Central (BMC)
external identifiers
  • pmid:31324260
  • scopus:85069447074
ISSN
1758-9193
DOI
10.1186/s13195-019-0517-9
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
d8dde48f-5f0e-4b8d-9411-247e47572a96
date added to LUP
2019-08-05 12:52:37
date last changed
2024-03-19 18:26:54
@article{d8dde48f-5f0e-4b8d-9411-247e47572a96,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: Widespread implementation of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in routine clinical practice requires the establishment of standard operating procedures for pre-analytical handling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Methods: Here, CSF collection and storage protocols were optimized for measurements of β-amyloid (Aβ). We investigated the effects of (1) storage temperature, (2) storage time, (3) centrifugation, (4) sample mixing, (5) blood contamination, and (6) collection gradient on CSF levels of Aβ. For each study participant, we used fresh CSF directly collected into a protein low binding (LoB) tube that was analyzed within hours after lumbar puncture (LP) as standard of truth. Aβ42 and Aβ40 were measured in de-identified CSF samples using EUROIMMUN and Mesoscale discovery assays. Results: CSF Aβ42 and Aβ40 were stable for at least 72 h at room temperature (RT), 1 week at 4 °C, and 2 weeks at - 20 °C and - 80 °C. Centrifugation of non-blood-contaminated CSF or mixing of samples before the analysis did not affect Aβ levels. Addition of 0.1-10% blood to CSF that was stored at RT without centrifugation led to a dose- and time-dependent decrease in Aβ42 and Aβ40, while Aβ42/Aβ40 did not change. The effects of blood contamination were mitigated by centrifugation and/or storage at 4 °C or - 20 °C. Aβ levels did not differ between the first to fourth 5-ml portions of CSF. Conclusions: CSF can be stored for up to 72 h at RT, 1 week at 4 °C, or at least 2 weeks at either - 20 °C or - 80 °C before Aβ measurements. Centrifugation of fresh non-blood-contaminated CSF after LP, or mixing before analysis, is not required. In case of visible blood contamination, centrifugation and storage at 4 °C or - 20 °C is recommended. After discarding the first 2 ml, any portion of up to 20 ml of CSF is suitable for Aβ analysis. These findings will be important for the development of a clinical routine protocol for pre-analytical handling of CSF.</p>}},
  author       = {{Janelidze, Shorena and Stomrud, Erik and Brix, Britta and Hansson, Oskar}},
  issn         = {{1758-9193}},
  keywords     = {{Alzheimer's disease diagnosis; Biomarkers; Cerebrospinal fluid; Pre-analytical variables; β-Amyloid}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{07}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{BioMed Central (BMC)}},
  series       = {{Alzheimer's Research and Therapy}},
  title        = {{Towards a unified protocol for handling of CSF before β-amyloid measurements}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13195-019-0517-9}},
  doi          = {{10.1186/s13195-019-0517-9}},
  volume       = {{11}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}