NJ study on spinal fluid

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Several researchers believe that some patients have a

neurological cause of the

fatigue and cognitive problems

associated with CFS.

Specifically, subtle changes in the

brain may account for the

symptoms of CFS in certain

sub-groups of patients. Such

brain abnormalities should

show up as chemical markers in

spinal fluid.

The Center is proposing to

analyze the fluid for chemical

markers which may demonstrate a

mild inflammatory process

of the brain. In this study,

spinal fluid will be collected to

look for these abnormalities. A

spinal tap is a procedure

often used for clinical

purposes. It involves 3-4 hours of the

volunteer's time.

In addition, this study

will determine the levels of

autoimmune substances which are

responsible for many

diseases including lupus and

rheumatoid arthritis. Our new

international collaborator, Dr

Berg of Tubingen, Germany,

has extensive experience and

will evaluate the fluid for

measurement of autoantibodies to

serotonin. Also, cytokines

in the spinal fluid will be

evaluated.

If abnormalities are found,

they may be important markers

for CFS. Finding such

abnormalities in the cerebral spinal

fluid would also be strong

evidence for the notion that a

neurological cause exists to

explain the illness in a certain

group of patients.