Collection kits are provided by the laboratory. Please call your on-site lab to obtain kit prior to collection. (Each lab site will obtain kits by placing an order with SLRL who will get the kits from Reference Lab.)

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

1. Perform lumbar puncture and discard* the first 1 to 2 mL of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). (*OR use for other testing.)
2. Collect CSF directly into 1 of the Sarstedt CSF collection tubes until the tube is at least 50% full.**       **The Alzheimer's Association consensus protocol for handling of CSF for clinical measurements of Abeta42 and tau recommends using the drip method for CSF collection and directly collecting into a low-bind polypropylene tube. Although some clinicians prefer the syringe pull method due to speed of collection, the drip method reduces the risk of Abeta42 binding to the plastic of any syringe used.
3. Send CSF specimen in original Sarstedt CSF collection tube. Do not aliquot. This tube cannot be shared with other tests.
Note: Polystyrene collection tubes are not acceptable. Exposure of CSF to polystyrene tubes may result in falsely low Abeta42 concentrations.

Only stable in Sarstedt CSF False Bottom tubes provided in collection kit

• Ambient - 12 hours
• Refrigerated (preferred) - 14 days
• Frozen - 60 days
  
   

Gross hemolysis, gross lipemia, gross icterus, specimen not collected in Sarstedt CSF False Bottom tube provided in collection kit

• 82234 (EAP: 30133233 - BETA-AMYLOID; 1-42 (ABETA 42) CSF)
• 84393 (EAP: 31033234 - TAU PHOSPHORYLATED EA CSF)
• 84394 (EAP: 31033235 - TOTAL TAU CSF)