CSF FINDINGS IN ADRENOLEUKODYSTROPHY - CORRELATION BETWEEN MEASURES OF CYTOKINES, IGG PRODUCTION, AND DISEASE SEVERITY

The childhood-onset cerebral form of adrenoleukodystrophy has a devast ating neurologic prognosis. Unfortunately, there is no early method of distinguishing it from the more benign forms of adrenoleukodystrophy, such as adrenomyeloneuropathy. To evaluate the manner in which this d isease entity may be reflected in the cerebrospinal fluid, we studied a consecutive series of 19 patients, all with biochemically proved adr enoleukodystrophy. Total protein, immunoglobulin production, cytokine levels, and cerebrospinal fluid pressure were measured. In this single sample of cerebrospinal fluid, a significant correlation existed betw een clinical stage of the illness and cerebrospinal fluid myelin basic protein. No correlation existed with total protein, cytokines, or mea sures of immunoglobulin production.