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Bitar L, Stonestreet BS, Chalak LF. Key Inflammatory Biomarkers in Perinatal Asphyxia: A Comprehensive Review. Clin Perinatol 2024; 51:617-628. [PMID: 39095100 DOI: 10.1016/j.clp.2024.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
This article summarizes the current evidence regarding inflammatory biomarkers (placental and postnatal) and provides a comprehensive understanding of their roles: (1) diagnostic accuracy to predict the severity of hypoxic-ischemia encephalopathy (HIE), (2) value in assessing treatment responses, and (3) prediction of both short- and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. In the early critical stages of perinatal asphyxia, inflammatory biomarkers may guide clinical decision-making. Additional research is required to increase our understanding of the optimal utility of biomarkers to predict the severity, evolution, and developmental outcomes after exposure to HIE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Bitar
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Barbara S Stonestreet
- Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island; The Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Barrington, RI 02806, USA
| | - Lina F Chalak
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA.
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2
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Bayoumy S, Verberk IMW, Vermunt L, Willemse E, den Dulk B, van der Ploeg AT, Pajkrt D, Nitz E, van den Hout JMP, van der Post J, Wolf NI, Beerepoot S, Groen EJN, Tüngler V, Teunissen CE. Neurofilament light protein as a biomarker for spinal muscular atrophy: a review and reference ranges. Clin Chem Lab Med 2024; 62:1252-1265. [PMID: 38215341 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2023-1311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic cause of infant mortality, characterized by progressive neuromuscular degeneration resulting from mutations in the survival motor neuron (SMN1) gene. The availability of disease-modifying therapies for SMA therapies highlights the pressing need for easily accessible and cost-effective blood biomarkers to monitor treatment response and for better disease management. Additionally, the wide implementation of newborn genetic screening programs in Western countries enables presymptomatic diagnosis of SMA and immediate treatment administration. However, the absence of monitoring and prognostic blood biomarkers for neurodegeneration in SMA hinders effective disease management. Neurofilament light protein (NfL) is a promising biomarker of neuroaxonal damage in SMA and reflects disease progression in children with SMA undergoing treatment. Recently, the European Medicines Agency issued a letter of support endorsing the potential utilization of NfL as a biomarker of pediatric neurological diseases, including SMA. Within this review, we comprehensively assess the potential applications of NfL as a monitoring biomarker for disease severity and treatment response in pediatric-onset SMA. We provide reference ranges for normal levels of serum based NfL in neurologically healthy children aged 0-18 years. These reference ranges enable accurate interpretation of NfL levels in children and can accelerate the implementation of NfL into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherif Bayoumy
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Inge M W Verberk
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Vermunt
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eline Willemse
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ben den Dulk
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ans T van der Ploeg
- Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dasja Pajkrt
- Organovir Labs, Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Centers Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisa Nitz
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Johanna M P van den Hout
- Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Julie van der Post
- Organovir Labs, Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Centers Location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole I Wolf
- Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Department of Child Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VU University Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Shanice Beerepoot
- Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Department of Child Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VU University Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ewout J N Groen
- UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Victoria Tüngler
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Medizinische Fakultät, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- University Center for Rare Diseases, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Charlotte E Teunissen
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Schjørring ME, Parkner T, Knudsen CS, Tybirk L, Hviid CVB. Neurofilament light chain: serum reference intervals in Danish children aged 0-17 years. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 2023; 83:403-407. [PMID: 37632388 DOI: 10.1080/00365513.2023.2251003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Elevated levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) in the blood is an unspecific biomarker for damage to neuronal axons. The measurement of NfL levels in the blood can provide useful information for monitoring and prognostication of various neurological disorders in children, but a reference interval (RI) is needed before the clinical implementation of the biomarker. We aimed to establish a RI for children aged 0-17 years. Serum samples from 292 healthy reference subjects aged 0.4-17.9 years were analysed by a single-molecule array (Simoa®) established for routine clinical use. Non-parametric quantile regression was used to model a continuous RI, and a traditional age-partitioned non-parametric RI was established according to Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guideline C28-A3. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of hemolysis on assay performance. The traditional age-partitioned non-parametric RI for the age group <3 years was 3.5-16.6 ng/L and 2.1-13.9 ng/L in the age group ≥3 years, respectively. The continuous RI showed an age-dependent decrease in median NfL levels in the first three years of life which was also evident in the age-partitioning of the traditional RI. We found no difference between sexes and no impact of hemolysis on the NfL test results. This study establishes a pediatric RI for serum NfL and lays the groundwork for its future use in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Elbek Schjørring
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Tina Parkner
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | | | - Lea Tybirk
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Claus Vinter Bødker Hviid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark
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4
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Toorell H, Carlsson Y, Hallberg B, O'Riordian MN, Walsh BH, O'Sullivan MP, Boylan GB, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Murray D, Hagberg H. Neuro-Specific and Immuno-Inflammatory Biomarkers in Umbilical Cord Blood in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy. Neonatology 2023; 121:25-33. [PMID: 37778335 DOI: 10.1159/000533473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to evaluate neuronal injury and immuno-inflammatory biomarkers in umbilical cord blood (UCB) at birth, in cases with perinatal asphyxia with or without hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), compared with healthy controls and to assess their ability to predict HIE. STUDY DESIGN In this case-control study, term infants with perinatal asphyxia were recruited at birth. UCB was stored at delivery for batch analysis. HIE was diagnosed by clinical Sarnat staging at 24 h. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), the neuronal biomarkers tau and neurofilament light protein (NFL), and a panel of cytokines were analyzed in a total of 150 term neonates: 50 with HIE, 50 with asphyxia without HIE (PA), and 50 controls. GFAP, tau, and NFL concentrations were measured using ultrasensitive single-molecule array (Simoa) assays, and a cytokine screening panel was applied to analyze the immuno-inflammatory and infectious markers. RESULTS GFAP, tau, NFL, and several cytokines were significantly higher in newborns with moderate and severe HIE compared to a control group and provided moderate prediction of HIE II/III (AUC: 0.681-0.827). Furthermore, the levels of GFAP, tau, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were higher in HIE II/III cases compared with cases with PA/HIE I. IL-6 was also higher in HIE II/III compared with HIE I cases. CONCLUSIONS Biomarkers of brain injury and inflammation were increased in umbilical blood in cases with asphyxia. Several biomarkers were higher in HIE II/III versus those with no HIE or HIE I, suggesting that they could assist in the prediction of HIE II/III.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Toorell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Perinatal Medicine and Health, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ylva Carlsson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Perinatal Medicine and Health, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - BouBou Hallberg
- Division of Paediatrics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mairead N O'Riordian
- INFANT Maternal and Child Health Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Brian Henry Walsh
- INFANT Maternal and Child Health Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | | | - Geraldine B Boylan
- INFANT Maternal and Child Health Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Deirdre Murray
- INFANT Maternal and Child Health Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Henrik Hagberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Perinatal Medicine and Health, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Tarkowska A, Furmaga-Jabłońska W, Bogucki J, Kocki J, Pluta R. Preservation of Biomarkers Associated with Alzheimer's Disease (Amyloid Peptides 1-38, 1-40, 1-42, Tau Protein, Beclin 1) in the Blood of Neonates after Perinatal Asphyxia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13292. [PMID: 37686098 PMCID: PMC10488203 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Perinatal asphyxia is a complex disease involving massive death of brain cells in full-term newborns. The most impressive consequence of perinatal asphyxia is a neurodegenerative brain injury called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Management of newborns after perinatal asphyxia is very difficult due to the lack of measurable biomarkers that would be able to assess the severity of the brain injury in the future, help in the selection of therapy, assess the results of treatment and determine the prognosis for the future. Thus, these limitations make long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes unpredictable during life. Quantifying biomarkers that can detect subclinical changes at a stage where routine brain monitoring or imaging is still mute would be a major advance in the care of neonates with brain neurodegeneration after asphyxia. Understanding the effect of perinatal asphyxia on changes in blood neurodegenerative biomarkers over time, which would be commonly used to assess the severity of postpartum encephalopathy, would be an important step in developing precision in predicting the consequences of brain injuries. We urgently need more accurate early predictive markers to guide clinicians when to use neuroprotective therapy. The needed neurodegenerative biomarkers may represent neuronal pathological changes that can be recognized by new technologies such as genomic and proteomic. Nevertheless, the simultaneous blood tau protein and various amyloid changes with the addition of an autophagy marker beclin 1 after perinatal asphyxia have not been studied. We decided to evaluate serum biomarkers of neuronal injury characteristic for Alzheimer's disease such as amyloid peptides (1-38, 1-40 and 1-42), tau protein and beclin 1, which can predict the progression of brain neurodegeneration in future. In this paper, we report for the first time the significant changes in the above molecules in the blood after asphyxia compared to healthy controls during the 1-7, 8-14 and 15+ days ELISA test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Tarkowska
- Department of Neonate and Infant Pathology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (A.T.); (W.F.-J.)
| | - Wanda Furmaga-Jabłońska
- Department of Neonate and Infant Pathology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (A.T.); (W.F.-J.)
| | - Jacek Bogucki
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Janusz Kocki
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-080 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Ryszard Pluta
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
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Abu-Rumeileh S, Abdelhak A, Foschi M, D'Anna L, Russo M, Steinacker P, Kuhle J, Tumani H, Blennow K, Otto M. The multifaceted role of neurofilament light chain protein in non-primary neurological diseases. Brain 2023; 146:421-437. [PMID: 36083979 PMCID: PMC9494370 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The advancing validation and exploitation of CSF and blood neurofilament light chain protein as a biomarker of neuroaxonal damage has deeply changed the current diagnostic and prognostic approach to neurological diseases. Further, recent studies have provided evidence of potential new applications of this biomarker also in non-primary neurological diseases. In the present review we summarize the state of the art, future perspectives, but also limitations, of neurofilament light chain protein as a CSF and blood biomarker in several medical fields, including intensive care medicine, surgery, internal medicine and psychiatry. In particular, neurofilament light chain protein is associated with the degree of neurological impairment and outcome in patients admitted to intensive care units or in the perioperative phase and it seems to be highly interconnected with cardiovascular risk factors. Beyond that, interesting diagnostic and prognostic insights have been provided by the investigation of neurofilament light chain protein in psychiatric disorders as well as in the current coronavirus disease-19 pandemic and in normal ageing. Altogether, current data outline a multifaceted applicability of CSF and blood neurofilament light chain protein ranging from the critical clinical setting to the development of precision medicine models suggesting a strict interplay between the nervous system pathophysiology and the health-illness continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Abu-Rumeileh
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Ahmed Abdelhak
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Matteo Foschi
- Department of Neuroscience, Neurology Unit – S. Maria delle Croci Hospital of Ravenna, AUSL Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Lucio D'Anna
- Department of Stroke and Neuroscience, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London, NHS Healthcare Trust, London, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Michele Russo
- Department of Cardiology, S. Maria dei Battuti Hospital, AULSS 2 Veneto, Conegliano, Italy
| | - Petra Steinacker
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jens Kuhle
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, MS Center and Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), Departments of Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
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Wassink G, Harrison S, Dhillon S, Bennet L, Gunn AJ. Prognostic neurobiomarkers in neonatal encephalopathy. Dev Neurosci 2022; 44:331-343. [PMID: 35168240 DOI: 10.1159/000522617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic hypothermia is now standard-care for infants with moderate-severe neonatal encephalopathy (NE), and improves brain damage on neuroimaging, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Critically, for effective neuroprotection, hypothermia should be started within 6 h from birth. There is compelling evidence to suggest that a proportion of infants with mild NE have material risk of developing brain damage and poor outcomes. This cohort is increasingly being offered therapeutic hypothermia, despite lack of trial evidence for its benefit. In current practice, infants need to be diagnosed within 6 h of birth for therapeutic treatment, compared to retrospective NE grading in the pre-hypothermia era. This presents challenges as NE is a dynamic brain disorder that can worsen or resolve over time. Neurological symptoms of NE can be difficult to discern in the first few hours after birth, and confounded by analgesics and anesthetic treatment. Using current enrolment criteria, a significant number of infants with NE that would benefit from hypothermia are not treated, and vice versa, infants are receiving mild hypothermia when its benefit will be limited. Better biomarkers are needed to further improve management and treatment of these neonates. In the present review, we examine the latest research, and highlight a central limitation of most current biomarkers: that their predictive value is consistently greatest after most neuroprotective therapies are no longer effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Wassink
- The Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Steven Harrison
- The Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Simerdeep Dhillon
- The Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Laura Bennet
- The Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alistair Jan Gunn
- The Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Kyng KJ, Wellmann S, Lehnerer V, Hansen LH, Kuhle J, Henriksen TB. Neurofilament Light Chain serum levels after Hypoxia-Ischemia in a newborn piglet model. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:1068380. [PMID: 36699314 PMCID: PMC9869944 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.1068380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Neurofilament light Chain (NfL) is a promising brain injury biomarker which may assist diagnosis and prognostication in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The aim of this study was to investigate serum NfL levels after hypoxia-ischemia (HI) in a newborn piglet model. Second, to characterize the influence of sex, weight, and treatment with remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPC) on NfL and the correlation between NfL, brain imaging and histologic brain injury. METHODS We used serum from 48 newborn piglets of both sexes subjected to 45 min of global HI, and 4 sham piglets. Blood was collected pre-HI, 2 h post-HI and 72 h post-HI. NfL was measured by single-molecule array (Simoa™). We analysed the temporal profile of NfL after HI, and correlations between NfL, magnetic resonance spectroscopy brain Lac/NAA ratios and histologic brain injury 72 h after HI. RESULTS Median (IQR) NfL levels were: pre-HI: 66 pg/ml (45-87), 2 h post-HI: 105 pg/ml (77-140), and 72 h post-HI: 380 pg/ml (202-552). The increase in NfL after HI was statistically significant (p < 0.0001, mixed-effects ANOVA). Median NfL levels in sham animals were 41.4 pg/ml at baseline and 92.4 pg/ml at 72 h (p = 0.11, paired t-test). Neither sex, nor treatment with RIPC influenced NfL levels. Weight had a small, not biologically important, influence. NfL levels at 72 h were moderately correlated with histologic brain injury and brain Lac/NAA ratios. NfL 72 h post-HI > 330 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 89% (95% CI, 57%-99%) and a specificity of 52% (95% CI, 34%-69%) for predicting basal ganglia Lac/NAA ratio in the highest quartile. NfL 72 h post-HI > 445 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 90% (95% CI, 60%-99%) and a specificity of 74% (95% CI, 58%-86%) for predicting cortical brain histopathology injury in the highest quartile. CONCLUSION NfL increased after HI, with the largest values at 72 h post-HI. Early NfL was sensitive but not very specific, whereas NfL at 72 h was both highly sensitive and specific for exposure to moderate-severe HI in this model of HI-induced brain injury. This was supported by a moderate correlation of NfL at 72 h with brain Lac/NAA ratio and histopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasper Jacobsen Kyng
- Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sven Wellmann
- Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Verena Lehnerer
- Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO), Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Lærke Hjøllund Hansen
- Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jens Kuhle
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, MS Center and Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), Departments of Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tine Brink Henriksen
- Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus, Denmark
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9
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Chavez-Valdez R, Miller S, Spahic H, Vaidya D, Parkinson C, Dietrick B, Brooks S, Gerner GJ, Tekes A, Graham EM, Northington FJ, Everett AD. Therapeutic Hypothermia Modulates the Relationships Between Indicators of Severity of Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy and Serum Biomarkers. Front Neurol 2021; 12:748150. [PMID: 34795631 PMCID: PMC8593186 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.748150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To determine the changes due to therapeutic hypothermia (TH) exposure in the strength of association between traditional clinical and biochemical indicators of severity of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and serum biomarkers. We hypothesized that culmination of TH changes the strength of the relationships between traditional indicators of severity of HIE and serum biomarkers. Methods: This was a single-center observational cohort study of 178 neonates with HIE treated with TH and followed with serum biomarkers: (i) brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (neurotrophins); (ii) tau and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) (neural cell injury); and (iii) interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, and IL-10 (cytokines), during their first week of life. Adjusted mixed-effect models tested associations with HIE indicators in relation to TH exposure. Results: At admission, lower Apgar scores and base excess (BE) and higher lactate and nucleated red blood cell (NRBC) count correlated with higher Sarnat scores. These indicators of worse HIE severity, including higher Sarnat score, correlated with lower VEGF and higher tau, GFAP, and IL-10 levels at different time points. Within the first 24 h of life, patients with a Sarnat score >2 had lower VEGF levels, whereas only those with score of 3 also had higher GFAP and IL-10 levels. Tau levels increased during TH in patients with Sarnat score of 3, whereas tau and GFAP increased after TH in those with scores of 2. After adjustments, lower VEGF levels during TH and higher tau, GFAP, and IL-10 levels during and after TH were associated with worse Sarnat scores. Tau and GFAP relationship with Sarnat score became stronger after TH. Conclusion: Therapeutic hypothermia exerts an independent modulatory effect in the relationships between traditional indicators of severity of HIE and serum biomarkers after adjustments. Thus, the timing of biomarker testing in relation to TH exposure must be carefully considered if biomarkers are proposed for patient stratification in novel clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Chavez-Valdez
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Neuroscience Intensive Care Nursery Program, Division of Neonatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sarah Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Harisa Spahic
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Dhananjay Vaidya
- Department of Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Charlamaine Parkinson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Neuroscience Intensive Care Nursery Program, Division of Neonatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Barbara Dietrick
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sandra Brooks
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St Petersburg, FL, United States
| | - Gwendolyn J Gerner
- Neuroscience Intensive Care Nursery Program, Division of Neonatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Aylin Tekes
- Neuroscience Intensive Care Nursery Program, Division of Neonatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology and Pediatric Neuroradiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ernest M Graham
- Neuroscience Intensive Care Nursery Program, Division of Neonatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Frances J Northington
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Neuroscience Intensive Care Nursery Program, Division of Neonatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Allen D Everett
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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10
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Yuan A, Nixon RA. Neurofilament Proteins as Biomarkers to Monitor Neurological Diseases and the Efficacy of Therapies. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:689938. [PMID: 34646114 PMCID: PMC8503617 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.689938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers of neurodegeneration and neuronal injury have the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, disease monitoring, prognosis, and measure treatment efficacy. Neurofilament proteins (NfPs) are well suited as biomarkers in these contexts because they are major neuron-specific components that maintain structural integrity and are sensitive to neurodegeneration and neuronal injury across a wide range of neurologic diseases. Low levels of NfPs are constantly released from neurons into the extracellular space and ultimately reach the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood under physiological conditions throughout normal brain development, maturation, and aging. NfP levels in CSF and blood rise above normal in response to neuronal injury and neurodegeneration independently of cause. NfPs in CSF measured by lumbar puncture are about 40-fold more concentrated than in blood in healthy individuals. New ultra-sensitive methods now allow minimally invasive measurement of these low levels of NfPs in serum or plasma to track disease onset and progression in neurological disorders or nervous system injury and assess responses to therapeutic interventions. Any of the five Nf subunits - neurofilament light chain (NfL), neurofilament medium chain (NfM), neurofilament heavy chain (NfH), alpha-internexin (INA) and peripherin (PRPH) may be altered in a given neuropathological condition. In familial and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), plasma NfL levels may rise as early as 22 years before clinical onset in familial AD and 10 years before sporadic AD. The major determinants of elevated levels of NfPs and degradation fragments in CSF and blood are the magnitude of damaged or degenerating axons of fiber tracks, the affected axon caliber sizes and the rate of release of NfP and fragments at different stages of a given neurological disease or condition directly or indirectly affecting central nervous system (CNS) and/or peripheral nervous system (PNS). NfPs are rapidly emerging as transformative blood biomarkers in neurology providing novel insights into a wide range of neurological diseases and advancing clinical trials. Here we summarize the current understanding of intracellular NfP physiology, pathophysiology and extracellular kinetics of NfPs in biofluids and review the value and limitations of NfPs and degradation fragments as biomarkers of neurodegeneration and neuronal injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidong Yuan
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ralph A. Nixon
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, (NYU), Neuroscience Institute, New York, NY, United States
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11
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Andersson EA, Mallard C, Ek CJ. Circulating tight-junction proteins are potential biomarkers for blood-brain barrier function in a model of neonatal hypoxic/ischemic brain injury. Fluids Barriers CNS 2021; 18:7. [PMID: 33568200 PMCID: PMC7877092 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-021-00240-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neonatal encephalopathy often leads to lifelong disabilities with limited treatments currently available. The brain vasculature is an important factor in many neonatal neurological disorders but there is a lack of diagnostic tools to evaluate the brain vascular dysfunction of neonates in the clinical setting. Measurement of blood–brain barrier tight-junction (TJ) proteins have shown promise as biomarkers for brain injury in the adult. Here we tested the biomarker potential of tight-junctions in the context of neonatal brain injury. Methods The levels of TJ-proteins (occluding, claudin-5, and zonula occludens protein 1) in both blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as well as blood–brain barrier function via 14C-sucrose (342 Da) and Evans blue extravasation were measured in a hypoxia/ischemia brain-injury model in neonatal rats. Results Time-dependent changes of occludin and claudin-5 levels could be measured in blood and CSF after hypoxia/ischemia with males generally having higher levels than females. The levels of claudin-5 in CSF correlated with the severity of the brain injury at 24 h post- hypoxia/ischemia. Simultaneously, we detected early increase in blood–brain barrier-permeability at 6 and 24 h after hypoxia/ischemia. Conclusions Levels of circulating claudin-5 and occludin are increased after hypoxic/ischemic brain injuries and blood–brain barrier-impairment and have promise as early biomarkers for cerebral vascular dysfunction and as a tool for risk assessment of neonatal brain injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Axel Andersson
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 11, 413 90, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Carina Mallard
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 11, 413 90, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - C Joakim Ek
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 11, 413 90, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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12
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Lv HY, Wang QL, Chen HY, You YJ, Ren PS, Li LX. Study on serum Tau protein level and neurodevelopmental outcome of placental abruption with neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2020; 33:3887-3893. [PMID: 30821182 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2019.1588878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to explore differences in serum Tau protein levels and neurodevelopmental prognoses of placental abruption or umbilical cord around neck with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).Methods: Forty neonates with moderate/severe HIE divided into placental abruption with HIE group (placental abruption with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (PA-HIE) group) (n = 18) and umbilical cord around the neck with HIE group (umbilical cord around the neck with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (UCAN-HIE) group) (n = 22). Healthy term newborns comprised the control group (n = 35). Serum Tau protein levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 24 hours (3.50 hours [1.00-24.00]) after birth. Neurodevelopment outcomes were assessed based on the Gesell Developmental Scale at 9 months of age.Results: Serum Tau protein levels were significantly higher in 40 cases (1013 pg/ml [538.04-1190.42]) than in the control group (106.41 pg/ml [64.55-154.71], p = .0001). Serum Tau protein levels in the PA-HIE group (1024.46 pg/ml [657.88-1190.42]) were significantly higher than those in the UCAN-HIE group (892.78 pg/ml [538.04-1179.50], p = .0149). The development quotient score in the PA-HIE group (67.0 [47.0-90.0]) was significantly lower than that in the UCAN-HIE group (81.5 [52.6-100.0]) (p = .0028). The component ratio of neurodevelopmental retardation in the PA-HIE group (44.45%) was significantly higher than that in the UCAN-HIE group (22.73%) (X2 = 13.3138, p = .0013).Conclusions: Compared with the UCAN-HIE group, the serum Tau protein level and the component ratio of neurodevelopmental retardation were significantly higher in the PA-HIE group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yan Lv
- Department of Neonatology, Handan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Handan, PR China.,Department of Neonatal Pathology, Handan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Handan, Handan, PR China
| | - Qiu-Li Wang
- Department of Neonatology, Handan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Handan, PR China
| | - Hui-Ying Chen
- Laboratory of Genetics, Handan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Handan, PR China
| | - Yi-Jun You
- Laboratory of Genetics, Handan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Handan, PR China
| | - Peng-Shun Ren
- Department of Neonatology, Handan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Handan, PR China
| | - Lian-Xiang Li
- Department of Neonatal Pathology, Handan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Handan, Handan, PR China.,Department of Neural Development and Neural Pathology, Hebei University of Engineering School of Medicine, Handan, PR China
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13
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Shah DK, Yip PK, Barlas A, Tharmapoopathy P, Ponnusamy V, Michael-Titus AT, Chisholm P. Raised Plasma Neurofilament Light Protein Levels After Rewarming Are Associated With Adverse Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Newborns After Therapeutic Hypothermia. Front Neurol 2020; 11:562510. [PMID: 33192996 PMCID: PMC7644845 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.562510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To determine the predictive value of plasma neurofilament light protein (NfL) as a prognostic marker for outcomes in babies who have undergone therapeutic hypothermia (TH) for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Method: NfL levels from three groups of term newborns were compared: (1) those with mild HIE who did not receive TH, (2) newborns treated with TH who had minimal or no brain injury on MRI, and (3) newborns treated with TH who had substantial brain injury on MRI. Follow-up outcomes were collected from 18 months onward. Results: Follow-up was available for 33/37 (89%) of children. A cutoff NfL level >436 pg/ml after rewarming (median age 98 h) was associated with adverse outcome with a diagnostic sensitivity 75%, specificity 77%, PPV 75%, and NPV 77%. NfL levels at earlier time points were not predictive of outcome. Interpretation: This pilot study shows that persistently raised plasma NfL levels after rewarming are associated with adverse outcomes in babies with HIE who have undergone TH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divyen K Shah
- The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.,The Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ping K Yip
- The Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Akif Barlas
- The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pavithira Tharmapoopathy
- The Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vennila Ponnusamy
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.,Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Chertsey, United Kingdom
| | - Adina T Michael-Titus
- The Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Philippa Chisholm
- Homerton University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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14
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Menéndez-Valladares P, Sola-Idígora N, Fuerte-Hortigón A, Alonso-Pérez I, Duque-Sánchez C, Domínguez-Mayoral AM, Ybot-González P, Montaner J. Lessons learned from proteome analysis of perinatal neurovascular pathologies. Expert Rev Proteomics 2020; 17:469-481. [PMID: 32877618 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2020.1807335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Perinatal and pediatric diseases related to neurovascular disorders cause significant problems during life, affecting a population with a long life expectancy. Early diagnosis and assessment of the severity of these diseases are crucial to establish an appropriate neuroprotective treatment. Currently, physical examination, neuroimaging and clinical judgment are the main tools for diagnosis, although these tests have certain limitations. There is growing interest in the potential value of noninvasive biomarkers that can be used to monitor child patients at risk of brain damage, allowing accurate, and reproducible measurements. AREAS COVERED This review describes potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of perinatal neurovascular diseases and discusses the possibilities they open for the classification and treatment of neonatal neurovascular diseases. EXPERT OPINION Although high rates of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke exist in pediatric populations, most studies have focused on biomarkers of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Inflammatory and neuronal biomarkers such as S-100B and GFAP, in combination with others yet to be discovered, could be considered as part of multiplex panels to diagnose these diseases and potentially for monitoring response to treatments. Ideally, noninvasive biofluids would be the best source for evaluating these biomarkers in proteomic assays in perinatal patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Noelia Sola-Idígora
- Neurodevelopment Group, Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocio/IBIS/CSIC/US , Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Irene Alonso-Pérez
- Neuropediatric Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen De Macarena , Sevilla, Spain
| | | | | | - Patricia Ybot-González
- Neurology Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen De Macarena , Sevilla, Spain.,Neurodevelopment Group, Hospital Universitario Virgen Del Rocio/IBIS/CSIC/US , Sevilla, Spain
| | - Joan Montaner
- Neurology Unit, Hospital Universitario Virgen De Macarena , Sevilla, Spain.,The Neurovascular Research Lab, IBIS/HUVR/CSIC/US , Sevilla, Spain
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15
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To characterize neurofilament light levels in children who achieved return of spontaneous circulation following cardiac arrest compared with healthy controls and determine an association between neurofilament light levels and clinical outcomes. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Academic quaternary PICU. PATIENTS Children with banked plasma samples from an acute respiratory distress syndrome biomarker study who achieved return of spontaneous circulation after a cardiac arrest and healthy controls. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Neurofilament light levels were determined with a highly sensitive single molecule array digital immunoassay. Patients were categorized into survivors and nonsurvivors and into favorable (Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category score of 1-2 or unchanged from baseline) or unfavorable (Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category score of 3-6 or Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category score change ≥1 from baseline). Associations between neurofilament light level and outcomes were determined using Wilcoxon rank-sum test. We enrolled 32 patients with cardiac arrest and 18 healthy controls. Demographics, severity of illness, and baseline Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category scores were similar between survivors and nonsurvivors. Healthy controls had lower median neurofilament light levels than patients after cardiac arrest (5.5 [interquartile range 5.0-8.2] vs 31.0 [12.0-338.6]; p < 0.001). Neurofilament light levels were higher in nonsurvivors than survivors (78.5 [26.2-509.1] vs 12.4 [10.3-28.2]; p = 0.012) and higher in survivors than healthy controls (p = 0.009). The four patients who survived with a favorable outcome had neurofilament light levels that were not different from patients with unfavorable outcomes (21.9 [8.5--35.7] vs 37.2 [15.4-419.1]; p = 0.60) although two of the four patients who survived with favorable outcomes had progressive encephalopathies with both baseline and postcardiac arrest Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category scores of 4. CONCLUSIONS Neurofilament light is a blood biomarker of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and may help predict survival and neurologic outcome after pediatric cardiac arrest. Further study in a larger, dedicated cardiac arrest cohort with serial longitudinal measurements is warranted.
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16
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Reinert MC, Benkert P, Wuerfel J, Michalak Z, Ruberte E, Barro C, Huppke P, Stark W, Kropshofer H, Tomic D, Leppert D, Kuhle J, Brück W, Gärtner J. Serum neurofilament light chain is a useful biomarker in pediatric multiple sclerosis. NEUROLOGY-NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2020; 7:7/4/e749. [PMID: 32404429 PMCID: PMC7238898 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000000749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Objective To investigate serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) as a potential biomarker for disease activity and treatment response in pediatric patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods In this retrospective cohort study, sNfL levels were measured in a pediatric MS cohort (n = 55, follow-up 12–105 months) and in a non-neurologic pediatric control cohort (n = 301) using a high-sensitivity single-molecule array assay. Association of sNfL levels and treatment and clinical and MRI parameters were calculated. Results Untreated patients had higher sNfL levels than controls (median 19.0 vs 4.6 pg/mL; CI [4.732, 6.911]), p < 0.001). sNfL levels were significantly associated with MRI activity (+9.1% per contrast-enhancing lesion, CI [1.045, 1.138], p < 0.001; +0.6% per T2-weighted lesion, CI [1.001, 1.010], p = 0.015). Higher values were associated with a relapse <90 days ago (+51.1%; CI [1.184, 1.929], p < 0.001) and a higher Expanded Disability Status Scale score (CI [1.001, 1.240], p = 0.048). In patients treated with interferon beta-1a/b (n = 27), sNfL levels declined from 14.7 to 7.9 pg/mL after 6 ± 2 months (CI [0.339, 0.603], p < 0.001). Patients with insufficient control of clinical or MRI disease activity under treatment with interferon beta-1a/b or glatiramer acetate who switched to fingolimod (n = 18) showed a reduction of sNfL levels from 16.5 to 10.0 pg/mL 6 ± 2 months after switch (CI [0.481, 0.701], p < 0.001). Conclusions sNfL is a useful biomarker for monitoring disease activity and treatment response in pediatric MS. It is most likely helpful to predict disease severity and to guide treatment decisions in patients with pediatric MS. This study provides Class III evidence that sNfL levels are associated with disease activity in pediatric MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Christine Reinert
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (M.-C.R., P.H., W.S., J.G.), Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany; Clinical Trial Unit (P.B.), Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Medical Image Analysis Centre Basel (MIAC AG) (J.W., E.R.); Department of Biomedical Engineering (J.W.), University Basel; Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic (Z.M., C.B., D.L., J.K.), Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Novartis Pharma AG (H.K., D.T.), Basel, Switzerland; and Institute of Neuropathology (W.B.), University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Pascal Benkert
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (M.-C.R., P.H., W.S., J.G.), Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany; Clinical Trial Unit (P.B.), Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Medical Image Analysis Centre Basel (MIAC AG) (J.W., E.R.); Department of Biomedical Engineering (J.W.), University Basel; Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic (Z.M., C.B., D.L., J.K.), Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Novartis Pharma AG (H.K., D.T.), Basel, Switzerland; and Institute of Neuropathology (W.B.), University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jens Wuerfel
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (M.-C.R., P.H., W.S., J.G.), Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany; Clinical Trial Unit (P.B.), Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Medical Image Analysis Centre Basel (MIAC AG) (J.W., E.R.); Department of Biomedical Engineering (J.W.), University Basel; Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic (Z.M., C.B., D.L., J.K.), Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Novartis Pharma AG (H.K., D.T.), Basel, Switzerland; and Institute of Neuropathology (W.B.), University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany
| | - Zuzanna Michalak
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (M.-C.R., P.H., W.S., J.G.), Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany; Clinical Trial Unit (P.B.), Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Medical Image Analysis Centre Basel (MIAC AG) (J.W., E.R.); Department of Biomedical Engineering (J.W.), University Basel; Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic (Z.M., C.B., D.L., J.K.), Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Novartis Pharma AG (H.K., D.T.), Basel, Switzerland; and Institute of Neuropathology (W.B.), University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany
| | - Esther Ruberte
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (M.-C.R., P.H., W.S., J.G.), Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany; Clinical Trial Unit (P.B.), Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Medical Image Analysis Centre Basel (MIAC AG) (J.W., E.R.); Department of Biomedical Engineering (J.W.), University Basel; Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic (Z.M., C.B., D.L., J.K.), Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Novartis Pharma AG (H.K., D.T.), Basel, Switzerland; and Institute of Neuropathology (W.B.), University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Barro
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (M.-C.R., P.H., W.S., J.G.), Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany; Clinical Trial Unit (P.B.), Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Medical Image Analysis Centre Basel (MIAC AG) (J.W., E.R.); Department of Biomedical Engineering (J.W.), University Basel; Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic (Z.M., C.B., D.L., J.K.), Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Novartis Pharma AG (H.K., D.T.), Basel, Switzerland; and Institute of Neuropathology (W.B.), University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter Huppke
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (M.-C.R., P.H., W.S., J.G.), Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany; Clinical Trial Unit (P.B.), Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Medical Image Analysis Centre Basel (MIAC AG) (J.W., E.R.); Department of Biomedical Engineering (J.W.), University Basel; Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic (Z.M., C.B., D.L., J.K.), Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Novartis Pharma AG (H.K., D.T.), Basel, Switzerland; and Institute of Neuropathology (W.B.), University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wiebke Stark
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (M.-C.R., P.H., W.S., J.G.), Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany; Clinical Trial Unit (P.B.), Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Medical Image Analysis Centre Basel (MIAC AG) (J.W., E.R.); Department of Biomedical Engineering (J.W.), University Basel; Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic (Z.M., C.B., D.L., J.K.), Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Novartis Pharma AG (H.K., D.T.), Basel, Switzerland; and Institute of Neuropathology (W.B.), University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany
| | - Harald Kropshofer
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (M.-C.R., P.H., W.S., J.G.), Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany; Clinical Trial Unit (P.B.), Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Medical Image Analysis Centre Basel (MIAC AG) (J.W., E.R.); Department of Biomedical Engineering (J.W.), University Basel; Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic (Z.M., C.B., D.L., J.K.), Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Novartis Pharma AG (H.K., D.T.), Basel, Switzerland; and Institute of Neuropathology (W.B.), University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany
| | - Davorka Tomic
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (M.-C.R., P.H., W.S., J.G.), Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany; Clinical Trial Unit (P.B.), Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Medical Image Analysis Centre Basel (MIAC AG) (J.W., E.R.); Department of Biomedical Engineering (J.W.), University Basel; Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic (Z.M., C.B., D.L., J.K.), Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Novartis Pharma AG (H.K., D.T.), Basel, Switzerland; and Institute of Neuropathology (W.B.), University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany
| | - David Leppert
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (M.-C.R., P.H., W.S., J.G.), Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany; Clinical Trial Unit (P.B.), Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Medical Image Analysis Centre Basel (MIAC AG) (J.W., E.R.); Department of Biomedical Engineering (J.W.), University Basel; Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic (Z.M., C.B., D.L., J.K.), Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Novartis Pharma AG (H.K., D.T.), Basel, Switzerland; and Institute of Neuropathology (W.B.), University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jens Kuhle
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (M.-C.R., P.H., W.S., J.G.), Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany; Clinical Trial Unit (P.B.), Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Medical Image Analysis Centre Basel (MIAC AG) (J.W., E.R.); Department of Biomedical Engineering (J.W.), University Basel; Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic (Z.M., C.B., D.L., J.K.), Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Novartis Pharma AG (H.K., D.T.), Basel, Switzerland; and Institute of Neuropathology (W.B.), University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Brück
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (M.-C.R., P.H., W.S., J.G.), Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany; Clinical Trial Unit (P.B.), Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Medical Image Analysis Centre Basel (MIAC AG) (J.W., E.R.); Department of Biomedical Engineering (J.W.), University Basel; Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic (Z.M., C.B., D.L., J.K.), Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Novartis Pharma AG (H.K., D.T.), Basel, Switzerland; and Institute of Neuropathology (W.B.), University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jutta Gärtner
- From the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (M.-C.R., P.H., W.S., J.G.), Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany; Clinical Trial Unit (P.B.), Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Medical Image Analysis Centre Basel (MIAC AG) (J.W., E.R.); Department of Biomedical Engineering (J.W.), University Basel; Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic (Z.M., C.B., D.L., J.K.), Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel; Novartis Pharma AG (H.K., D.T.), Basel, Switzerland; and Institute of Neuropathology (W.B.), University Medical Centre Göttingen, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany
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Yao M, Mao SS. [Research advances in the biomarkers of brain damage in preterm infants]. ZHONGGUO DANG DAI ER KE ZA ZHI = CHINESE JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY PEDIATRICS 2019; 21:1138-1143. [PMID: 31753098 PMCID: PMC7389299 DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2019.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
While the survival rate of preterm infants has continually increased with the development of perinatal and neonatal monitoring techniques, the incidence of brain injury in preterm infants has been increasing, resulting in varying degrees of cognitive impairment and movement disorders. Measuring the biomarkers of brain damage is an important means to diagnose brain injury. The biomarkers can be divided into neuroglial damage markers, neuronal damage markers and other markers according to the features of injured cells. The biomarkers widely used in clinical practice include S100B protein, myelin basic protein and neuron-specific enolase. Recent studies have newly discovered a collection of markers that can suggest potential brain injury in preterm infants, such as glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament light chain protein, α-II spectrin breakdown products, chemokines, melatonin and urinary metabolomics. These biomarkers can contribute to the early diagnosis and treatment of preterm brain injury, essential for improving neural development and prognosis. This article reviews the latest research advances in the biomarkers of preterm brain injury, in order to provide evidence for the early diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Yao
- Department of Neurology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310052, China.
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18
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Murray DM. Biomarkers in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy-Review of the literature to date and future directions for research. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2019; 162:281-293. [PMID: 31324315 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64029-1.00013-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The widespread introduction of therapeutic hypothermia as a standard of care in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) has brought increasing pressure on clinicians to make an early and accurate assessment of the degree of hypoxic injury (HI) that has occurred and the severity of the encephalopathy that will ensue. No single blood-based marker is currently robust enough to detect significant HI or predict outcome. However, research in the field has been active in the last 10 years and we know that HIE is associated with predictable alterations in the expression of a number of inflammatory proteins, neuron-specific proteins, metabolite pathways, and microRNA. These alterations evolve quickly over the first hours and days of life. Predictive power varies depending on the timing of measurement of the biomarker, the sample type, and the case mix of the cohort examined. Combining clinical data with biochemical measurements is currently the most likely path toward improved detection and prediction of outcome in neonatal HIE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deirdre M Murray
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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Depoorter A, Neumann RP, Barro C, Fisch U, Weber P, Kuhle J, Wellmann S. Neurofilament Light Chain: Blood Biomarker of Neonatal Neuronal Injury. Front Neurol 2018; 9:984. [PMID: 30524361 PMCID: PMC6256184 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a highly promising biomarker of neuroaxonal injury that has mainly been studied in adult neurodegenerative disease. Its involvement in neonatal disease remains largely unknown. Our aim was to establish NfL plasma concentrations in preterm and term infants in the first week of life. Methods: Plasma NfL was measured by single molecule array immunoassay in two neonatal cohorts: cohort 1 contained 203 term and preterm infants, median gestational age (GA) 37.9 weeks (interquartile range [IQR] 31.9–39.4), in whom venous and arterial umbilical cord blood was sampled at birth and venous blood at day of life (DOL) 3; cohort 2 contained 98 preterm infants, median GA 29.3 weeks (IQR 26.9–30.6), in whom venous blood was sampled at DOL 7. Results: Median NfL concentrations in venous blood increased significantly from birth (18.2 pg/mL [IQR 12.8–30.8, cohort 1]) to DOL 3 (50.9 pg/mL [41.3–100, cohort 1]) and DOL 7 (126 pg/mL [78.8–225, cohort 2]) (p < 0.001). In both cohorts NfL correlated inversely with birth weight (BW, Spearman's rho −0.403, p < 0.001, cohort 1; R −0.525, p < 0.001, cohort 2) and GA (R −0.271, p < 0.001, cohort 1; R −0.487, p < 0.001, cohort 2). Additional significant correlations were found for maternal age at delivery, preeclampsia, delivery mode, 5-min Apgar, duration of oxygen supplementation, sepsis, and brain damage (intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified the independent predictors of NfL in cohort 1 as BW (beta = −0.297, p = 0.003), delivery mode (beta = 0.237, p = 0.001) and preeclampsia (beta = 0.183, p = 0.022) and in cohort 2 as BW (beta = −0.385, p = 0.001) and brain damage (beta = 0.222, p = 0.015). Conclusion: Neonatal NfL levels correlate inversely with maturity and BW, increase during the first days of life, and relate to brain injury factors such as intraventricular hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia, and also to vaginal delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoinette Depoorter
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Developmental Medicine, University Children's Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Roland P Neumann
- Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Barro
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Urs Fisch
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Weber
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Developmental Medicine, University Children's Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jens Kuhle
- Neurologic Clinic and Policlinic, Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sven Wellmann
- Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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20
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The rapid progress in biomarker science is on the threshold of significantly changing clinical care for infants in the neonatal ICU. Infants with neonatal brain injuries will likely be the first group whose management is dramatically altered with point-of-care, rapidly available brain biomarker analysis. Providing an interim update on progress in this area is the purpose of this review. RECENT FINDINGS Highlighted findings from the past 18 months of publications on biomarkers in neonatal brain injury include; Specific nonbrain markers of cardiac health and global asphyxia continue to provide information on brain injury after hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Prediction of injury in the piglet hypoxia-ischemia model is improved with the use of a combination score of plasma metabolites. In a neonatal piglet model of perinatal hypoxia-ischemia, a systemic proinflammatory surge of cytokines has been identified after rewarming from therapeutic hypothermia. New biomarkers identified recently include osteopontin, activin A, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, secretoneurin, Tau and neurofilament light protein. Brain-based biomarkers differ in their ability to predict short-term in-hospital outcomes and long-term neurologic deficits. SUMMARY Neonatal brain biomarker research is currently in its very early development with major advances still to be made.
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21
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Shah DK, Ponnusamy V, Evanson J, Kapellou O, Ekitzidou G, Gupta N, Clarke P, Michael-Titus AT, Yip PK. Raised Plasma Neurofilament Light Protein Levels Are Associated with Abnormal MRI Outcomes in Newborns Undergoing Therapeutic Hypothermia. Front Neurol 2018; 9:86. [PMID: 29556208 PMCID: PMC5844939 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims and hypothesis Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains an important cause of death and disability in newborns. Mild therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is safe and effective; however, there are no tissue biomarkers available at the bedside to select babies for treatment. The aim of this study was to show that it is feasible to study plasma neurofilament light (NfL) levels from newborns and to evaluate their temporal course. Hypothesis: Raised plasma NFL protein levels from newborns who undergo TH after HIE are associated with abnormal MRI outcomes. Methods Between February 2014 and January 2016, term newborns with HIE treated with TH for 72 h had plasma samples taken at three time points: (i) after the infant had reached target temperature, (ii) prior to commencing rewarming, and (iii) after completing rewarming. Infants with mild HIE who did not receive TH had a single specimen taken. NfL protein was analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Twenty-six newborns with moderate-severe HIE treated with TH were studied. Half of these had cerebral MRI predictive of an unfavorable outcome. Plasma NfL levels were significantly higher in the TH group with unfavorable outcome (median age 18 h) compared to levels from both the mild HIE group and TH group with favorable outcome (F = 25.83, p < 0.0001). Newborns who had MRIs predictive of unfavorable outcome had significantly higher NfL levels compared to those with favorable outcomes, at all three time points (mixed models, F = 27.63, p < 0.001). A cutoff NfL level >29 pg/mL at 24 h is predictive of an unfavorable outcome [sensitivity 77%, specificity 69%, positive predictive value (PPV) 67%, negative predictive value (NPV) 72%] with increasing predictive value until after rewarming (sensitivity 92%, specificity 92%, PPV 92%, NPV 86%). Interpretation of research Plasma NfL protein levels may be a useful biomarker of unfavorable MRI outcomes in newborns with moderate-severe HIE and may assist in selecting newborns for adjunctive neuroprotective interventions. Larger studies with NfL testing at earlier time points are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divyen K Shah
- The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.,The Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vennila Ponnusamy
- Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.,Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Chertsey, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Evanson
- The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Olga Kapellou
- Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Georgia Ekitzidou
- Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Neelam Gupta
- University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Clarke
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ping K Yip
- The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
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