L'uso dei biomarcatori del liquido cerebrospinale nella diagnosi della malattia di Alzheimer: Un'indagine tra i laboratori italiani

The use of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers amyloid b1-42 (Ab42), tau (T-tau), and phosphorylated tau (p-tau181) for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease is limited to a restricted number of neurological centers. By a survey, we aimed to do a “selfie” of the use and diffusion of CSF biomarkers of dementia in Italy, the standardization of pre-analytical procedures, the harmonization of ranges, and the participation to Quality Control programs. The members of SIBioC and of the Piattaforma Italiana per le Malattie Neurodegenerative della Societa Italiana di Neurologia per le Demenze (SINdem-ITALPLANED) together with other neurological clinics all over Italy have received an online questionnaire. Forty neurological centers require CSF analyses while 7/20 regions (35%) lack CSF laboratories. Standardization of pre-analytical procedures is present in 62.02% of laboratories and only 56% participate to International Quality Control Programs. There is no harmonization of the reported cut-offs. A cost-benefit analysis, with a program for standardization and harmonization should be promoted by Scientific Societies and National Health Services.