Specimen Collection
2 tubes each with 2 mL CSF
Note: these are
additional
to any other tubes taken for other CSF tests (e.g. microbiology and chemistry).
A
special request form
must be completed and accompany the CSF specimens (click on link below).
On receipt at LabPlus - the samples are to be placed in the Endocrinology box in freezer 36
After processing by the Endocrinology section, the samples will be sent to:
Dept. of Immunology,
Churchill Hospital
Old Road
Headington
Oxford OX3 7LJ
UK
Note: the total cost of this investigation is approximately $1000
Immunology request form
Orexin
Turnaround Time: Between 4 weeks and 6 weeks
Assay Method
Radioimmunoassay
Diagnostic Use and Interpretation
Orexin, also called hypocretin, is a neuropeptide that regulates arousal, wakefulness, and appetite. The most common form of narcolepsy, in which the sufferer briefly loses muscle tone (cataplexy), is caused by a lack of orexin in the brain.
Low CSF orexin / hypocretin levels can be useful for diagnosis of narcolepsy.
Reference
Mignot, E. et al. Arch. Neurol. 2002; 59(10):1553-62
Contact Information
Emails to
chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz
will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist.
If the query concerns a specific patient please include the NHI number in your email.
If email is not a suitable option, please contact the on-call chemical pathologist via
Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995).
Individual chemical pathologists may be contacted but will not be available at all times.
After-hours
: contact
Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours.
Dr Samarina Musaad
(Clinical Lead)
:
SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 22402
Dr Cam Kyle:
CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz
ext 22052
Dr Weldon Chiu:
WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 23427
Dr Campbell Heron:
CHeron@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 23427
Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe:
Sakunthala@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 23427