CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID 28-KDA CALBINDIN-D AS A POSSIBLE MARKER FOR PURKINJE-CELL DAMAGE

To examine the clinical value of 28-kDa calbindin-D (CaBP) in cerebros pinal fluid (CSF) as a marker for the damage to Purkinje cells, we mea sured CSF CaBP levels using an enzyme immunoassay method in 107 patien ts with cerebellar and other neurological diseases, and 26 controls. T he mean CaBP level was markedly elevated in patients with cerebellar d iseases, and the elevation of CaBP level was more frequent in the dise ases involving Purkinje cells, such as multiple system atrophy (MSA) a nd subacute cerebellar degeneration in association with lung cancer. F urther, in MSA patients, the CaBP levels decreased with duration of il lness. The mean levels of CaBP were also elevated in some of the other diseases. We conclude that the elevations of CaBP levels are not spec ific for cerebellar diseases, but CSF CaBP may be a useful marker for examining the Purkinje cell involvement in cerebellar diseases.