Abstract
Background: Evidence on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis to demonstrate Alzheimer's disease has not yet been implemented in diagnostic guidelines. Methods: We investigated the use of CSF analysis in a survey amongst all known memory clinics in the Netherlands, of which 85 of 113 (75.2%) responded. Results: Sixty per cent of respondents used CSF analysis in 5% (median) of patients. The analysis almost always confirmed the working diagnosis in 68.4% and sometimes changed it in 28.2%. Complications occurred very infrequently (0%, median) and were mild. Reasons not to perform CSF analysis included the lack of clear recommendations in diagnostic guidelines. Conclusions: These results ask for a guideline update to clarify the use of CSF analysis as an add-on diagnostic method.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1014-1016 |
Journal | European Journal of Neurology |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2011 |
Keywords
- Alzheimer's disease
- cerebrospinal fluid analysis
- dementia
- guidelines
- memory clinics