Cisternal S100 protein and neuron-specific enolase are elevated and site-specific markers in intractable temporal lobe epilepsy.

In the brain, S100 protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) are mainly found in glial cells and neurons, respectively. We investigated concentrations of S100 protein and NSE in cisternal cerebrospinal fluid obtained during implantation of foramen ovale electrodes in eight patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). In addition, the meningeal markers cystatin-C and beta-trace as well as total protein were measured. Patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) undergoing glycerol rhizotomy served as controls. S100 protein and NSE levels ipsilateral to the site of seizure onset were significantly higher than in TN. Contralateral TLE values were also markedly but not significantly elevated. The meningeal markers cystatin-C and beta-trace protein as well as total protein did not differ in TLE and TN. We conclude that interictal temporal lobe dysfunction corresponds with neuronal and glial marker elevations in the extracellular space and that site-specific elevations may predict the site of seizure origin biochemically.