Cerebral Spinal Fluid Sampling

The rationale for Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) sampling in a research setting differs from clinical practice sampling when CSF is done for diagnostic purposes. First, the presence of biological molecules in CSF is a reflection of physiological or pathological CNS processes and as such is used as biomarkers of those processes. Second, CSF sampling is used to determine drug concentration in CSF compartment as the result of penetration of the drug across the blood brain barrier and their CNS PK profile. When the two are combined, changes in biomarkers can be used to monitor disease modification due to effects of study drugs. CRI Lifetree Salt Lake City’s expertise in sampling CSF allows assaying concentrations of the parent compound, drug metabolites and disease modifying biomarkers. Sampling can be obtained from a single lumbar puncture and from intermittent or continuous, or both sampling from an indwelling catheter for up to 96 hours.