Calcitonin level in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]

Several data indicate that the dysfunction of some neuropeptide function may play a role in the pathogenesis of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Therefore, the authors decide to determine a concentration of one of them in CSF, namely calcitonin. Calcitonin is widely distributed in CNS, including both anterior and posterior horns of the spinal cord. It was confirmed with immunohistochemical assays and an examination of the human CSF. Calcitonin concentration in CSF has been assayed in 12 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and in 12 patients of the control group. Calcitonin concentrations in CSF have been measured with RIA technique, using appropriate kits manufactured by Mallinckrodt Dgn. Mean calcitonin CSF concentration in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis was 448. +/- 74.3 pg/ml, and was lowered in comparison with that in the control group, i.e. 613.9 +/- 147.2 pg/ml. The results confirm the authors' previous reports on the reduced content of some neuropeptides in CSF of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and suggest a possible calcitonin role in the pathogenesis of this disease.