Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Disturbances in brain ion concentrations have been implicated in the regulation of brain states such as sleep and wakefulness, as well as in a variety of neurological conditions, including dementia, epilepsy, and migraine. Despite this, studies specifically characterizing normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ion composition are generally lacking.Methods We quantify the normal human CSF ion composition in this non-interventional, cross-sectional, retrospective study using paired CSF and serum concentrations of Ca²⁺, Cl⁻, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Na⁺ measured in healthy young to middle-aged volunteers (n = 28) and patients without neurological disease (n = 14). Relationships with variables such as albumin quotient, age, sampling time, and sex were analyzed. Group differences were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, while correlations were examined with Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.Results CSF ion concentrations were significantly different from serum for all ions measured (P < 0.0001). Cl− (+ 25%), Na+ (+ 5%) and Mg2+ (+ 37%) concentrations were higher, while K+ (-30%) and Ca2+ (-50%) concentrations were lower. These differences were consistent with no overlap between serum and CSF concentrations. There was a trend toward higher ion concentrations in samples collected later in the day and in men, but no significant correlation with the albumin quotient.Conclusions The distinct ion composition of CSF, compared to serum, may establish a low baseline neuronal excitability, allowing for controlled modulation by neuromodulators without leading to pathological hyperexcitability. This might offer new insights for targeting neurological diseases associated with disrupted ion homeostasis.
Source: Brain Communications
Institutions: Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, University of Wisconsin–Madison, UK Dementia Research Institute, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, University of Science and Technology of China, Sorbonne Université, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Institut du Cerveau
Language: English
Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,024
Funders: Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Biogen, Familjen Erling-Perssons Stiftelse, Cure Alzheimer's Fund, Stiftelsen för Gamla Tjänarinnor, EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research, National Institute for Health and Care Research, University College London, European Commission, Hjärnfonden, Vetenskapsrådet, UK Dementia Research Institute, Fondation pour la Recherche sur Alzheimer, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
Awards: G1057200632, G1088883541, G1253720191, G150733400, G1551449788, G1588116593, G1771944843, G1802301745, G1833008592, G201353144, G2057385626, G2108271864, G237833635, G2543812357, G2799940023, G2841269746, G2879339865, G292763017, G3241251457, Fluid biomarkers for neurodegenerative dementias, G3903502641, G3914690605, G4181470480, G4234328627, G4260843567, G432431387, G434337789, G4377393254, G5040492720, G506008078, G516766298, Fluid biomarkers for neurodegenerative dementias, CASCADE: CAuSe or Consequence in Alzheimer DiseasE?, G6158734006, G6289970089, Multi-omics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, G6745400708, G691317373
OpenAlex ID: W4410709381