Aa
Myelin basic protein is high
Two weeks ago I got the test results from my spinal puncture and the MBP was 30.28. Everything else was normal or slightly low. The MRI back in Feb. showed some perivetricle lesions but they said they were old and there was probably no active demyelination occuring. The doctors are a bit confused at this point and are wanting another spinal puncture but I had a bad reaction to the first and am considering not going through with it again. Does anyone know of a condition causing high MBP only? My symptoms are dizziness, memory loss, weakness, visual and hearing loss (especially after puncture..)
THX
THX
Zilla is corrcect. The presence of Myelin Basic Protein in the CSF is a sign of any kind of damage in the central nerous system. It is very nonspecific. The damage can be from MS, other neuro diseases, infection, surgery or trauma. In the context of MS, as Zilla said, MBP is often - but not always - seen during a relapse and may dwindle away or become negative during remission. The problem is that many people in relapse do NOT have a + MBP, so it is not a good biomarker to show a relapse.
For this same reason it is not a good diagnostic test for MS. If it is positive it only points toward some disease process in the CNS, not specifically toward MS (though, in the right circumstances it would add evidence toward a diagnosis of MS). If negative it certainly does NOT rule out MS, because many people may be negative.
Where your doctors are getting confused is that they must believe that you HAVE to have an "enhancing lesion" if you are having a relapse. This is not at all the case. Many lesions may be invisible to the MRI, yet be actively demyelinating and causing symptoms. An "old" lesion in MS may be as young as 6 weeks old.
To help you understand these statements, you can go to the Health Pages (upper right hand corner of the page under Discussions). Read these 3 articles.
How MRIs Show MS Lesions
What is the Difference Between the Old and the New MRIs?
How a Person with MS Can Have a Negative MRI
Another one that may be helpful for you is the one called "Lesions vs. Symptoms."
These will help you understand. If you have further questions, we'll be glad to answer them.
Quix
For this same reason it is not a good diagnostic test for MS. If it is positive it only points toward some disease process in the CNS, not specifically toward MS (though, in the right circumstances it would add evidence toward a diagnosis of MS). If negative it certainly does NOT rule out MS, because many people may be negative.
Where your doctors are getting confused is that they must believe that you HAVE to have an "enhancing lesion" if you are having a relapse. This is not at all the case. Many lesions may be invisible to the MRI, yet be actively demyelinating and causing symptoms. An "old" lesion in MS may be as young as 6 weeks old.
To help you understand these statements, you can go to the Health Pages (upper right hand corner of the page under Discussions). Read these 3 articles.
How MRIs Show MS Lesions
What is the Difference Between the Old and the New MRIs?
How a Person with MS Can Have a Negative MRI
Another one that may be helpful for you is the one called "Lesions vs. Symptoms."
These will help you understand. If you have further questions, we'll be glad to answer them.
Quix
Oops!
I was wrong. The MBP does not show a breach in the blood-brain barrier, but can indicate inflammation, and is non-specific for MS. BUT, given your symptoms, and the location of your lesions, I still think your docs should do some further testing, like evoked potentials.
Feel free to browse around our Health Pages and get some GOOD information! Sorry to sterr you in the wrong direction!
Feel well,
Zilla*
I was wrong. The MBP does not show a breach in the blood-brain barrier, but can indicate inflammation, and is non-specific for MS. BUT, given your symptoms, and the location of your lesions, I still think your docs should do some further testing, like evoked potentials.
Feel free to browse around our Health Pages and get some GOOD information! Sorry to sterr you in the wrong direction!
Feel well,
Zilla*
Hi, Zenith! Welcome to our forum! We are very happy to have you here, but certainly not for these reasons. I'm sorry to hear about your symptoms and the fact that you and your docs are confused about your test results. That is so frustrating!
So, your MRI in Feb showed periventricular lesions. This is where most lesions are found in MS. Did I say that right? Perhaos I should say most MS lesions show up in the periventricular area. Same thing, I guess.
And the Myelin Basic Protein is a very good test for MS. I believe it shows there has been a breach in the blood-brain barrier. There are not many conditions for which there are periventricular lesions and high MBP. I would say that your doctors should not be so confused. Especially given your symptoms.
Now, we cannot diagnose anyone here. But I would think that with these test results alone, even with everything else being normal, your doctor (do you have a neurologist?) should be doing more testing to confirm they are on the right track. Have you ever had Evoked Potentials done? A VEP? SSEP? BAEP?
It could be the docs are looking for a slam dunk with O-Bands, IgG, other indicators that MS is the answer. How many lesions do you have? Unfortunately, a diagnosis of MS can take a very long time. (And of course, I hope you don't have it.) Evidence of MS can take years to show up in lab and imaging results.
What are your doctors saying?
I hope you feel well, Zenith, and we hope you continue to hang in here with us.
We'd love to help you!
Momzilla*
So, your MRI in Feb showed periventricular lesions. This is where most lesions are found in MS. Did I say that right? Perhaos I should say most MS lesions show up in the periventricular area. Same thing, I guess.
And the Myelin Basic Protein is a very good test for MS. I believe it shows there has been a breach in the blood-brain barrier. There are not many conditions for which there are periventricular lesions and high MBP. I would say that your doctors should not be so confused. Especially given your symptoms.
Now, we cannot diagnose anyone here. But I would think that with these test results alone, even with everything else being normal, your doctor (do you have a neurologist?) should be doing more testing to confirm they are on the right track. Have you ever had Evoked Potentials done? A VEP? SSEP? BAEP?
It could be the docs are looking for a slam dunk with O-Bands, IgG, other indicators that MS is the answer. How many lesions do you have? Unfortunately, a diagnosis of MS can take a very long time. (And of course, I hope you don't have it.) Evidence of MS can take years to show up in lab and imaging results.
What are your doctors saying?
I hope you feel well, Zenith, and we hope you continue to hang in here with us.
We'd love to help you!
Momzilla*
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