CSF biomarker profiles do not differentiate between the cerebellar and parkinsonian phenotypes of multiple system atrophy.

BACKGROUND: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) can clinically be divided into the cerebellar (MSA-C) and the parkinsonian (MSA-P) variants. It is unknown whether the variation in clinical expression is also reflected by a different underlying neurochemical profile. METHODS: We analyzed brain specific proteins and neurotransmitter metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 26 patients with MSA-C and 19 with MSA-P. RESULTS: No differences were found between MSA-C and MSA-P. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the clinical and in part pathological distinction between the two clinical MSA phenotypes is not reflected by the neurochemical composition of CSF