Fig. 1

MiR-181-family has consistent contribution to altered microRNA expression in cerebrospinal fluid samples in discovery cohort. a Heatmap shows the overexpressed (red) and the downregulated (blue) microRNAs (miRs) in distinct sample types. Gross divergence in miR pattern of patients with or without initial CNS disease is highlighted with black frames. Mean relative expression levels were determined by ddCt algorithm, using miR-532-5p as reference miR and PB samples of control individuals as reference samples. b Biplot derived from principle component analysis shows clusters of CNS-positive and CNS-negative diagnostic samples at a confidence level of 95%. Corresponding loading plot (vectors) displays miR-181-family members. The cosine between two vectors approximates the correlation between miR variables. Position of vectors indicates considerable positive contributions to first and second principal component. CNS central nervous system, CSF cerebrospinal fluid, ddCt delta–delta Ct, miR microRNA, PC principal component