Radioimmunoassay of neuropeptides in the CSF. Problems and pitfalls

Abstract

The measurement of neuropeptides in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) represent an initial step in attempting to link chemical disorders in peptidergic neurons with psychopathology. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) of neuropeptides in the CSF is complicated by the fact that neuropeptides display a considerable complexity. They exist in many different molecular forms. Any neuropeptide RIA must be carefully characterized in order to minimize important sources of errors. Attempts to link pertubations in neuropeptide content with psychiatric disorders require detailed and highly specific informations on the concentrations and chemical properties of the relevant forms of each individual peptide to ensure specific and reliable measurements. ? Cerebrospinal fluid, Neuropeptides, Specific radioimmunoassays, High performance liquid chromatography, Molecular heterogeneity.