A consensus protocol for the standardization of cerebrospinal fluid collection and biobanking

TLDR

Research into body fluid biomarkers for neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases has a long history, yet few CSF biomarkers are used clinically, partly due to insufficient sample sizes in single‑center studies. Collaboration among investigators is needed to create large biobanks of well‑defined CSF samples. The protocol details standardized CSF collection procedures, preanalytical handling, and comprehensive clinical data, and is applicable to biobanks for any neurological disease. A consensus report of recommendations for CSF collection and biobanking was produced by the BioMS‑eu network for multiple sclerosis research.

Abstract

There is a long history of research into body fluid biomarkers in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. However, only a few biomarkers in CSF are being used in clinical practice. One of the most critical factors in CSF biomarker research is the inadequate powering of studies because of the lack of sufficient samples that can be obtained in single-center studies. Therefore, collaboration between investigators is needed to establish large biobanks of well-defined samples. Standardized protocols for biobanking are a prerequisite to ensure that the statistical power gained by increasing the numbers of CSF samples is not compromised by preanalytical factors. Here, a consensus report on recommendations for CSF collection and biobanking is presented, formed by the BioMS-eu network for CSF biomarker research in multiple sclerosis. We focus on CSF collection procedures, preanalytical factors, and high-quality clinical and paraclinical information. The biobanking protocols are applicable for CSF biobanks for research targeting any neurologic disease.