"Protein Profile" in Multiple Sclerosis

IN PREVIOUS studies* a characteristic pattern of changes was observed both in the blood serum and in the cerebrospinal fluid in about 80% of the patients with typical multiple sclerosis. The changes in these biological fluids examined simultaneously were termed the protein profile. The variations in serum proteins, as determined electrophoretically, 1 consisted of significantly decreased albumin and A/G ratio values, markedly increased alpha-2 and beta globulin fractions, a slightly elevated (or normal) gamma globulin fraction, and a normal alpha-1 globulin fraction. Similarly, the cerebrospinal fluid proteins in the same patients showed markedly elevated total and gamma globulin values, as well as increased gamma globulin-total (G. G./T. P.) ratios. The present study was undertaken to enlarge our case material for purposes of statistical analysis and to investigate changes of the protein profile in comparison with the clinical findings, over extended periods of time. Furthermore, the use of