[The macrophage electrophoretic mobility LAD test - a diagnostic method for multiple sclerosis.].

With the MEM test (Field) one can establish a cellular immune reaction because the sensitized lymphocytes release the macrophage slowing factor (MSF) upon interaction with the appropriate antigen. A macrophage migration inhibition was detected in some neurological diseases with destruction of the parenchyma. The modification MEM-LAD (linoleic acid depression) test made further differentiation possible in the 146 neurological patients and normals. The reduction of macrophage mobility inhibition was 94.7+/-4.7% in multiple sclerosis (MS) cases as compared with that of normals of 55.1+/-3.7% and of other neurological diseases of 47.8+/-7.1%. There were no significant differences due to the course and duration of the disease or to immunosuppressive therapy. The pathogenically important results in relatives of MS patients with values between the MS and normal group (78.5+/-0.7%) in mothers suggested a familial (genetic) disposition. The same value was found in a monozygotic twin of an MS patient. The results in the children studied showed that besides the endogenic metabolic component the aetiopathogenically important exogenic factors can operate early in life. In correlation with the principle of the MEM-LAD test the suppressive action of linoleic acid can result in a further therapeutic concept.