[Review] Technological advances and changing indications for lumbar puncture in neurological disorders

Technological advances have changed the indications for and the way in which lumbar puncture is done. Suspected CNS infection remains the most common indication for lumbar puncture, but new molecular techniques have broadened CSF analysis indications, such as the determination of neuronal autoantibodies in autoimmune encephalitis. New screening techniques have increased sensitvity for pathogen detection and can be used to identify pathogens that were previously unknown to cause CNS infections. Evidence suggests that potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, will rely on early detection of the disease with the use of CSF biomarkers.

Source: Lancet Neurology - February 14, 2018 Category: Neurology Authors: Joost M Costerus, Matthijs C Brouwer, Diederik van de Beek Tags: Review Source Type: research