Title | The Clinical Use of Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis: The Italian Selfie. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2017 |
Authors | Sancesario, GM, Toniolo, S, Chiasserini, D, Di Santo, SG, Zegeer, J, Bernardi, G, Musicco, M, Caltagirone, C, Parnetti, L, Bernardini, S |
Corporate Authors | for SIBioC-Study Group of Clinical Biochemistry of Biological Fluids other than Blood, for SINdem-ITALPLANED |
Journal | J Alzheimers Dis |
Volume | 55 |
Issue | 4 |
Pagination | 1659-1666 |
Date Published | 2017 |
ISSN | 1875-8908 |
Abstract | Although the use of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid β1-42 (Aβ42), tau (T-tau), and phosphorylated tau (p-tau181) gives added diagnostic and prognostic values, the diffusion is still limited in clinical practice and only a restricted number of patients receive an integrated clinico-biological diagnosis. By a survey, we aimed to do a "selfie" of the use and diffusion of CSF biomarkers of dementia in Italy, the standardization of pre-analytical procedures, the harmonization of ranges, and the participation to Quality Control programs. An online questionnaire was sent to the members of SIBioC and SINdem-ITALPLANED and to main neurological clinics all over Italy. In Italy, 25 laboratories provide biomarkers analysis in addition to a network of 15 neighboring hospitals. In sum, 40 neurological centers require CSF analyses. 7/20 regions (35%) lack CSF laboratories. Standardization of pre-analytical procedures is present in 62.02% of the laboratories; only 56.00% of the laboratories participate in International Quality Control. There is no harmonization of cut-offs. In Italy, the use of CSF biomarkers is still limited in clinical practice. Standardization and harmonization of normal ranges are needed. To optimize and expand the use of CSF biomarkers, a cost-benefit analysis should be promoted by scientific societies and national health services. |
DOI | 10.3233/JAD-160975 |
Alternate Journal | J. Alzheimers Dis. |
PubMed ID | 27911328 |