Research Grant

Christopher Gomez, MD, PhD

University of Chicago
Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in spinocerebellar ataxia

For this project we asked twenty ataxia patients (SCA1, SCA2, SCA6, MSA-C) and twenty normal subjects to participate in a study to analyze their cerebrospinal fluid for molecular abnormalities that would help determine the type and stage of the disease. There were no complications or discomfort from the spinal taps that were done on a research basis. We now plan to measure the concentrations of candidate proteins in the spinal fluid that we have reason to believe may be altered in at least one type of ataxia. In addition, we will use a sophisticated molecular separation method called high pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to measure the content of several hundred small molecules in each spinal fluid. We will compare the levels of each component for each patient and control to discover any unique signature. This will aid in finding measurable markers of disease progression useful for clinical trials.