CSFtutkimus

CSFtutkimus refers to the study of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and its role in health and disease. It is a multidisciplinary area that combines neurology, neuroradiology, biochemistry, immunology, and bioinformatics to understand CSF composition, dynamics, and diagnostic potential. Researchers analyze CSF to identify biomarkers, monitor disease progression, and evaluate treatment responses.

Common methods include lumbar puncture for CSF collection, routine chemistry, cell counts, microbiology, and specialized assays such as proteomics, metabolomics, and genomics. Biomarkers in CSF are used in the diagnosis of infections like meningitis, inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, and neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The field also investigates CSF circulation, clearance pathways, and its interactions with brain interstitial fluid, with implications for drug delivery and neuroscience research.

CSFtutkimus underpins clinical diagnostics as well as translational research, facilitating the development of new biomarkers and therapies. Ethical and methodological standards emphasize patient safety, sample handling, and data interpretation.