Increased S100β in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with frontotemporal dementia

Levels of S100β, a calcium-binding protein found in astrocytes, were measured using a sandwich ELISA in the cerobrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease and compared with controls. Mean CSF S100β concentrations were significantly raised in patients with frontotemporal dementia when compared with healthy controls (0.49 ± 0.28 vs. 0.22 ± 0.08 ng/ml, P < 0.001). There was no correlation between age at disease onset, disease severity or length of illness. The increased concentration of CSF S100β seen in frontotemporal dementia may reflect the marked astrocytosis seen in this condition.