myelin basic protein (MBP) in CSF

Reference interval

< 2.5 ng/mL

Clinical significance

• myelin basic protein is released into the CSF whenever there is damage to neural tissue with destruction of myelin sheaths
• CSF MBP is a non-specific indicator of active CNS disease
• levels of CSF MBP rise within days of CNS insult

Increases

• CNS trauma
• stroke
• CNS tumor
• multiple sclerosis
• subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
• viral encephalitis
• other neurological conditions

Methods

RIA

Specimen

• cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
• analyze fresh or store at 4 degrees C for < 72 hours
• stable frozen at -20 degrees C for 6 months
• stable at -70 degrees C indefinitely
• specimens should not contain blood

More general terms

• myelin basic protein (MBP) in body fluid

Additional terms

• cerebrospinal fluid
• myelin basic protein; MBP; myelin A1 protein; myelin membrane encephalitogenic protein (MBP)