ABSTRACT

The structural and functional diversity of the nervous system does not lend itself readily to any single analyte or macromolecule which may be measured as an indicator of early damage to, or the functional integrity of, this complex organ system. Sampling of body fluids such as blood and urine has not proved generally useful in the diagnosis of damage and dysfunction of the nervous system. Collection of body fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid is a technically difficult invasive procedure and is not performed routinely. Thus the clinical biochemist must resort to the use of nervous system tissue in which to measure the relevant analyte or macromolecule. Relatively few marker molecules of diagnostic significance have been described, but with the increasing use of molecular biology techniques it is anticipated that the number will grow substantially.