Neurofilament light in CSF and serum is a sensitive marker for axonal white matter injury in MS
J Bergman, A Dring, H Zetterberg… - Neurology …, 2016 - AAN Enterprises
J Bergman, A Dring, H Zetterberg, K Blennow, N Norgren, J Gilthorpe, T Bergenheim…
Neurology: Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation, 2016•AAN EnterprisesObjective: In an ongoing, open-label, phase 1b study on the intrathecal administration of
rituximab for progressive multiple sclerosis, an intraventricular catheter was inserted for drug
delivery. The objective of this study was to characterize the limited white matter axonal injury
evoked by catheter insertion by analyzing a panel of markers for tissue damage in CSF and
serum. Methods: Lumbar CSF and serum were collected before catheter insertion and at
regular intervals during the follow-up period of 1 year. Levels of neurofilament light …
rituximab for progressive multiple sclerosis, an intraventricular catheter was inserted for drug
delivery. The objective of this study was to characterize the limited white matter axonal injury
evoked by catheter insertion by analyzing a panel of markers for tissue damage in CSF and
serum. Methods: Lumbar CSF and serum were collected before catheter insertion and at
regular intervals during the follow-up period of 1 year. Levels of neurofilament light …
Objective
In an ongoing, open-label, phase 1b study on the intrathecal administration of rituximab for progressive multiple sclerosis, an intraventricular catheter was inserted for drug delivery. The objective of this study was to characterize the limited white matter axonal injury evoked by catheter insertion by analyzing a panel of markers for tissue damage in CSF and serum.
Methods
Lumbar CSF and serum were collected before catheter insertion and at regular intervals during the follow-up period of 1 year. Levels of neurofilament light polypeptide (NF-L), glial fibrillary acidic protein, microtubule-associated protein tau, and S100 calcium binding protein B were measured in the CSF, and NF-L was also quantified in serum at each time point.
Results
One month after neurosurgical trauma, there was a distinct peak in NF-L concentration in both CSF and serum. In contrast, the biomarkers S100 calcium binding protein B, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and microtubule-associated protein tau did not show any significant changes. NF-L levels in both CSF and serum peaked at 1 month post surgery, returning to baseline after 6 to 9 months. A strong correlation was observed between the concentrations of NF-L in CSF and serum.
Conclusions
The NF-L level, in CSF and serum, appears to be both a sensitive and specific marker for white matter axonal injury. This makes NF-L a valuable tool with which to evaluate acute white matter axonal damage in a clinical setting. Serum analysis of NF-L may become a convenient way to follow white matter axonal damage longitudinally.
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier
NCT01719159.
American Academy of Neurology