Diagnostic value of cerebrospinal fluid myelin basic protein in patients with neurological illness.

The levels of myelin basic protein (MBP) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been evaluated as a method of detecting central nervous system (CNS) demyelination. MBP levels were measured in the CSF of 129 patients with neurological illnesses of whom 26 had a demyelinating illness. High levels of MBP were found in 81% of patients with recent episodes of demyelination but were not seen in patients with multiple sclerosis that was clinically stable or in remission. Patients with CNS trauma also had high levels of MBP in their CSF. The detection of a high level of MBP in CSF may be useful in the diagnosis of acute CNS demyelination but the finding is not specific for multiple sclerosis.