Radioimmunoassay of Immunoglobulins in Cerebrospinal Fluid

Abstract

In several neurological diseases abnormalities of immunoglobulin G in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are observed. These abnormalities can be qualitative (1) (restricted heterogeneity of IgG) and quantitative (2) (increased concentration of IgG in CSF). There are four other classes of immunoglobulins: IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE, some of which have particular functions. It will be of interest to obtain information on these immunoglobulins in CSF in order to arrive at a better understanding of immune-processes in neurological disease. Since the normal concentrations of IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE in CSF are much lower than that of IgG these immunoglobulins can only be measured by very sensitive assay methods, unless CSF is concentrated first.