Increased CSF F2-isoprostane concentration in probable AD

Objective: To quantify F-2-isoprostane levels in CSF obtained from the lumbar cistern of patients with AD, ALS, and controls. Bachground: Studies of human postmortem tissue and experimental models have suggested a role for oxidative damage in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, especially AD and ALS. F-2-isoprostanes are exclusive products of free-radical-mediated peroxidation of arachidonic acid that have been widely used as quantitative biomarkers of lipid peroxidation in vivo in humans. Recently, we showed that F-2-isoprostane concentrations are significantly elevated in CSF obtained postmortem from the lateral ventricles of patients with definite AD compared with controls. Methods: F-2-isoprostanes were quantified by gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Results: CSF F-2-isoprostanes were increased significantly in patients with probable AD, but not in ALS patients, compared with controls. Conclusions: Increased CSF F-2-isoprostanes are not an inevitable consequence of neurodegeneration and suggest that increased brain oxidative damage may occur early in the course of AD.