GANGLIOSIDES AND SULFATIDE IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID IN LEUKOARAIOSIS

The aim of the study was to evaluate gangliosides and sulfatide in cer ebrospinal fluid (CSF) as markers for neuronal degeneration, gliosis, and demyelination in leukoaraiosis (LA). Lumbar CSF samples were taken from 37 elderly subjects with LA on computed tomography (CT). Patient s with other pathology than LA or infarction on CT were excluded. In a ddition, CSF samples were colleted from 16 elderly reference subjects without any neurological disease. Gangliosides GM1, GD1a, GD1b, GT1b, GD3, and sulfatide were determined. The concentration of the individua l gangliosides and sulfatide showed no correlation with age. Gangliosi des GD1b, GT1b, and GD3 were elevated in patients with mild LA compare d to controls and patients with moderate or severe LA. GD1a was elevat ed in patients with mild LA compared to those with moderate LA. The co ncentration of sulfatide did not differ between the groups. When the p atients were grouped in accordance to whether they had had cerebral in farction or not, differences between the groups were not found in the concentrations of any gangliosides and sulfatide. In conclusion, the a nalysis of CSF markers suggests that neuronal degeneration and gliosis predominate in the early stage of LA.