Alzheimers disease (csf) (Cerebrospinal fluid (csf), frozen)

General guidelines for collection and shipment of csf samples

•Use polypropylene (PP) tubes. No glass and no polystyrene (PS) tubes. Close the container lid securely to prevent leakage. Label each CSF sample with patient´s data (name, DOB) and as "CSF".

•Calculate sufficient volume of CSF for all requested tests and submit it in 3-4 aliquots (e.g. 3 x 3 ml), as some measurements are performed at external laboratories.

•For analysis strictly requiring frozen samples, a separate sample is needed to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

•For Oligoclonal bands (OCBs) and antibody index (ASI), collect serum and CSF simultaneously (within <1 hour of each other) and always submit them together.

•For PCR testing separate sterile sample is required.

The "Alzheimer's disease" panel includes testing for Tau protein, phospho-Tau, and the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio.

Tau protein and phospho-Tau can be requested individually (500 µl CSF per analyte). Testing them as a combined panel is recommended for greater clinical diagnostic value (1.5 ml CSF total).

β-Amyloid 1-40 can only be requested in combination with β-Amyloid 1-42 for the calculation of the ratio.

Freeze CSF as multiple aliquots (approx. 2–3 aliquots) immediately after collection and ship them to the laboratory in a frozen state, as Alzheimer's-related proteins are highly unstable.

For further analyses using CSF, please refer to the "General guidelines for collection and shipment of CSF samples."