Clinical Significance

The CSF normally contains less than 1% of the amount of protein present in plasma. Clinical disorders associated with increased CSF protein include traumatic spinal tap, increased blood-CSF permeability due to meningitis or hemorrhage, endocrine/metabolic disorders, drug toxicity, and CSF circulation disorders. Clinical disorders associated with decreased CSF total protein include CSF leakage from dural tear, increased intracranial pressure, removal of CSF, hyperthyroidism and leukemia. Young children (6 months to 2 years) also have decreased CSF total protein.