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Verde F, Licaj S, Soranna D, Ticozzi N, Silani V, Zambon A. Cerebrospinal fluid and blood neurofilament light chain levels in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal degeneration: A meta-analysis. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16371. [PMID: 38937912 PMCID: PMC11295179 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Neurofilament light chain (NFL) has been shown to be increased in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and, to a lesser extent, in frontotemporal dementia (FTD). A meta-analysis of NFL in ALS and FTD was performed. METHODS Available studies comparing cerebrospinal fluid and blood NFL levels in ALS versus neurologically healthy controls (NHCs), other neurological diseases (ONDs) and ALS mimics, as well as in FTD and related entities (behavioural variant of FTD and frontotemporal lobar degeneration syndromes) versus NHCs, ONDs and other dementias were evaluated. RESULTS In ALS, both cerebrospinal fluid and blood levels of NFL were higher compared to other categories. In FTD, behavioural variant of FTD and frontotemporal lobar degeneration syndromes, NFL levels were consistently higher compared to NHCs; however, several comparisons with ONDs and other dementias did not demonstrate significant differences. DISCUSSION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is characterized by higher NFL levels compared to most other conditions. In contrast, NFL is not as good at discriminating FTD from other dementias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Verde
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of NeuroscienceIRCCS Istituto Auxologico ItalianoMilanItaly
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari CenterUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | - Sara Licaj
- Department of Statistics and Quantitative MethodsUniversity of Milano‐BicoccaMilanItaly
| | - Davide Soranna
- Biostatistics UnitIRCCS Istituto Auxologico ItalianoMilanItaly
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of NeuroscienceIRCCS Istituto Auxologico ItalianoMilanItaly
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari CenterUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of NeuroscienceIRCCS Istituto Auxologico ItalianoMilanItaly
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari CenterUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanItaly
| | - Antonella Zambon
- Department of Statistics and Quantitative MethodsUniversity of Milano‐BicoccaMilanItaly
- Biostatistics UnitIRCCS Istituto Auxologico ItalianoMilanItaly
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Mazzini L, De Marchi F, Buzanska L, Follenzi A, Glover JC, Gelati M, Lombardi I, Maioli M, Mesa-Herrera F, Mitrečić D, Olgasi C, Pivoriūnas A, Sanchez-Pernaute R, Sgromo C, Zychowicz M, Vescovi A, Ferrari D. Current status and new avenues of stem cell-based preclinical and therapeutic approaches in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2024:1-22. [PMID: 39162129 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2024.2392307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cell therapy development represents a critical challenge in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research. Despite more than 20 years of basic and clinical research, no definitive safety and efficacy results of cell-based therapies for ALS have been published. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes advances using stem cells (SCs) in pre-clinical studies to promote clinical translation and in clinical trials to treat ALS. New technologies have been developed and new experimental in vitro and animal models are now available to facilitate pre-clinical research in this field and to determine the most promising approaches to pursue in patients. New clinical trial designs aimed at developing personalized SC-based treatment with biological endpoints are being defined. EXPERT OPINION Knowledge of the basic biology of ALS and on the use of SCs to study and potentially treat ALS continues to grow. However, a consensus has yet to emerge on how best to translate these results into therapeutic applications. The selection and follow-up of patients should be based on clinical, biological, and molecular criteria. Planning of SC-based clinical trials should be coordinated with patient profiling genetically and molecularly to achieve personalized treatment. Much work within basic and clinical research is still needed to successfully transition SC therapy in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Center, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- ALS Center, Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Leonora Buzanska
- Department of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Antonia Follenzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
- Dipartimento Attività Integrate Ricerca Innovazione, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria SS. Antonio e Biagio e C. Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Joel Clinton Glover
- Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital; Laboratory of Neural Development and Optical Recording (NDEVOR), Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maurizio Gelati
- Unità Produttiva per Terapie Avanzate (UPTA), IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Ivan Lombardi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Margherita Maioli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Center for Developmental Biology and Reprogramming-CEDEBIOR, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Fatima Mesa-Herrera
- Reprogramming and Neural Regeneration Lab, BioBizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Dinko Mitrečić
- Laboratory for Stem Cells, Croatian Institute for Brain Research and Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Cristina Olgasi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Augustas Pivoriūnas
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rosario Sanchez-Pernaute
- Reprogramming and Neural Regeneration Lab, BioBizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
- Ikerbaske, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Chiara Sgromo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Marzena Zychowicz
- Department of Stem Cell Bioengineering, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Angelo Vescovi
- Unità Produttiva per Terapie Avanzate (UPTA), IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Daniela Ferrari
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
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Witzel S, Huss A, Nagel G, Rosenbohm A, Rothenbacher D, Peter RS, Bäzner H, Börtlein A, Dempewolf S, Schabet M, Hecht M, Kohler A, Opherk C, Naegele A, Sommer N, Lindner A, Alexudis C, Bachhuber F, Halbgebauer S, Brenner D, Ruf W, Weiland U, Mayer B, Schuster J, Dorst J, Tumani H, Ludolph AC. Population-Based Evidence for the Use of Serum Neurofilaments as Individual Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Ann Neurol 2024. [PMID: 39177232 DOI: 10.1002/ana.27054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neurofilament light chains (NfL) and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chains (pNfH), established as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in hospital-based amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cohorts, are now surrogate markers in clinical trials. This study extends their evaluation to a population level, with the aim of advancing their full establishment and assessing the transferability of biomarker findings from controlled cohorts to real-world ALS populations. METHODS We measured serum NfL and pNfH levels in all ALS patients (n = 790) and general population controls (n = 570) with available baseline samples participating in the epidemiological ALS Registry Swabia, providing platform-specific (ELLA™) reference data and Z-scores for controls, as well as reference data, disease-specific Z-scores and longitudinal data in ALS. We evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic utility of neurofilaments and quantified the impact of ALS-related factors and non-ALS confounders. RESULTS Neurofilaments showed high diagnostic and prognostic utility at the population level, with NfL superior to pNfH. The novel concept of a population-based ALS Z-score significantly improved the prognostic utility compared to absolute raw values. Both biomarkers increased more strongly with age in controls than in ALS, and age adjustment improved diagnostic accuracy. Our data show that disease progression rates, ALS phenotype, body mass index (BMI), and renal function need to be considered when interpreting neurofilament levels; longitudinal neurofilament levels were generally stable in individual patients, especially when adjusted for age and baseline levels. INTERPRETATION Population-based assessment enhances the utility of particularly serum NfL as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in ALS and improves the translation of findings from controlled cohorts to real-world populations. ANN NEUROL 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Witzel
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - André Huss
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Gabriele Nagel
- Institute for Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | - Raphael S Peter
- Institute for Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Hansjörg Bäzner
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Stuttgart, Katharinenhospital, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Axel Börtlein
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Stuttgart, Katharinenhospital, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Silke Dempewolf
- Department of Neurology, RKH Klinikum Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Germany
| | - Martin Schabet
- Department of Neurology, RKH Klinikum Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Germany
| | - Martin Hecht
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Kaufbeuren, Kliniken Ostallgaeu-Kaufbeuren, Kaufbeuren, Germany
| | - Andreas Kohler
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum am Gesundbrunnen Heilbronn, Heilbronn, Germany
| | - Christian Opherk
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum am Gesundbrunnen Heilbronn, Heilbronn, Germany
| | - Andrea Naegele
- Department of Neurology, Christophsbad Goeppingen, Göppingen, Germany
| | - Norbert Sommer
- Department of Neurology, Christophsbad Goeppingen, Göppingen, Germany
| | - Alfred Lindner
- Department of Neurology, Marienhospital Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | | | | | - Steffen Halbgebauer
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Site Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - David Brenner
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Ruf
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Benjamin Mayer
- Institute for Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Joachim Schuster
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Site Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Hayrettin Tumani
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Site Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Albert C Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Site Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Liu X, Yang Y, Lu Q, Yang J, Yuan J, Hu J, Tu Y. Association between systemic immune-inflammation index and serum neurofilament light chain: a population-based study from the NHANES (2013-2014). Front Neurol 2024; 15:1432401. [PMID: 39239395 PMCID: PMC11374650 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1432401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is a novel inflammatory marker used to assess the immune-inflammatory status of the human body. The systemic immune inflammation has an interplay and mutual relationship with neurological disorders. Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) is widely regarded as a potential biomarker for various neurological diseases. The study aimed to examine the association between SII and sNfL. Methods This cross-sectional investigation was conducted in a population with complete data on SII and sNfL from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The SII was calculated by dividing the product of platelet count and neutrophil count by the lymphocyte count. Multivariate linear regression models and smooth curves were used to explore the linear connection between SII and sNfL. Sensitivity analyses, interaction tests, and diabetes subgroup smoothing curve fitting were also performed. Results A total of 2,025 participants were included in our present research. SII showed a significant positive association with the natural logarithm-transformed sNfL (ln-sNfL) in crude model [0.17 (0.07, 0.28)], partially adjusted model [0.13 (0.03, 0.22)], and fully adjusted model [0.12 (0.02, 0.22)]. In all participants, the positive association between SII and ln-sNfL served as a linear relationship, as indicated by a smooth curve. Interaction tests showed that age, gender, BMI, hypertension, and diabetes did not have a significant impact on this positive association (p for interaction >0.05). The subgroup analysis of diabetes was conducted using smooth curve fitting. It was found that compared to the group without diabetes and the group in a pre-diabetic state, the effect was more pronounced in the group with diabetes. Conclusion Our findings suggest that there is a positive association between SII and sNfL. Furthermore, in comparison to individuals without diabetes and those in a pre-diabetic state, the positive association between SII and sNfL was more pronounced in individuals with diabetes. Further large-scale prospective studies are needed to confirm the association between SII and sNfL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation, Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Massage College, Health Preservation and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Yang
- Department of Big Data Management and Application, Health Economics and Management College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiutong Lu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianshu Yang
- Department of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Massage, Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Massage College, Health Preservation and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation, Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Massage College, Health Preservation and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Hu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation, Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Massage College, Health Preservation and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Tu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation, Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Massage College, Health Preservation and Rehabilitation College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Benatar M, Macklin EA, Malaspina A, Rogers ML, Hornstein E, Lombardi V, Renfrey D, Shepheard S, Magen I, Cohen Y, Granit V, Statland JM, Heckmann JM, Rademakers R, McHutchison CA, Petrucelli L, McMillan CT, Wuu J. Prognostic Clinical and Biological Markers for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Disease Progression: Validation and Implications for Clinical Trial Design and Analysis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.08.12.24311876. [PMID: 39185513 PMCID: PMC11343261 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.12.24311876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Background With increasing recognition of the value of incorporating prognostic markers into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) trial design and analysis plans, there is a pressing need to understand which among the prevailing clinical and biochemical markers have real value, and how they can be optimally used. Methods A subset of patients with ALS recruited through the multi-center Phenotype-Genotype-Biomarker study (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02327845) was identified as "trial-like" based on meeting common trial eligibility criteria. Clinical phenotyping was performed by evaluators trained in relevant assessments. Serum neurofilament light (NfL) and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy (pNfH), urinary p75ECD, plasma microRNA-181, and an array of biochemical and clinical measures were evaluated for their prognostic value. Associations with functional progression were estimated by random-slopes mixed models of ALS functional rating scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) score. Associations with survival were estimated by log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression. Potential sample size savings from adjusting for given biomarkers in a hypothetical trial were estimated. Findings Baseline serum NfL is a powerful prognostic biomarker, predicting survival and ALSFRS-R rate of decline. Serum NfL <40pg/ml and >100pg/ml correspond to future ALSFRS-R slopes of ~0.5 and 1.5 points/month, respectively. Serum NfL also adds value to the best available clinical predictors, encapsulated by the European Network to Cure ALS (ENCALS) predictor score. In models of functional decline, the addition of NfL yields ~25% sample size saving above those achieved by inclusion of either clinical predictors or ENCALS score alone. The prognostic value of serum pNfH, urinary p75ECD, and plasma miR-181ab is more limited. Interpretation Among the multitude of biomarkers considered, only blood NfL adds value to the ENCALS prediction model and should be incorporated into analysis plans for all ongoing and future ALS trials. Defined thresholds of NfL might also be used in trial design, for enrichment or stratified randomisation, to improve trial efficiency. Funding NIH (U01-NS107027, U54-NS092091). ALSA (16-TACL-242).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Benatar
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Eric A Macklin
- Departments of Neurology and Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Andrea Malaspina
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Center, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Mary-Louise Rogers
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Eran Hornstein
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
| | - Vittoria Lombardi
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Center, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Danielle Renfrey
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Stephanie Shepheard
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Iddo Magen
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
| | - Yahel Cohen
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Molecular Neuroscience, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
| | - Volkan Granit
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Statland
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS USA
| | - Jeannine M Heckmann
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rosa Rademakers
- VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Caroline A McHutchison
- School of Philosophy, Psychology, and Language Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Corey T McMillan
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joanne Wuu
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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Jacobsen AB, Bostock H, Howells J, Cengiz B, Samusyte G, Koltzenburg M, Pia H, Fuglsang‐Frederiksen A, Blicher J, Obál I, Andersen H, Tankisi H. Threshold tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation and neurofilament light chain as diagnostic aids in ALS. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2024; 11:1887-1896. [PMID: 38894662 PMCID: PMC11251469 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.52095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There is a need for sensitive biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), to enable earlier diagnosis and to help assess potential treatments. The main objective of this study was to compare two potential biomarkers, threshold-tracking short-interval cortical inhibition (T-SICI), which has shown promise as a diagnostic aid, and neurofilament light chains (NfL). METHODS Ninety-seven patients with ALS (mean age 67.1 ± 11.5 years) and 53 ALS mimics (aged 62.4 ± 12.9) were included. Mean disease duration was 14 months ±14.1. Patients were evaluated with revised ALS functional rating score (ALSFRS-R), Penn upper motor neuron score (UMNS), muscle strength using the Medical Research Council (MRC) score and examined with T-SICI, quantitative electromyography (EMG), and NfL measured in spinal fluid. RESULTS NfL increased with increasing UMNS (rho = 0.45, p = 8.2 × 10-6) whereas T-SICI at 2.5 ms paradoxically increased toward normal values (rho = 0.53, p = 1.9 × 10-7). However, these two measures were uncorrelated. Discrimination between ALS patients and mimics was best for NfL (area under ROC curve 0.842, sensitivity 84.9%, specificity 83.5%), compared with T-SICI (0.675, 39.6%, 91.8%). For the patients with no UMN signs, NfL also discriminated best (0.884, 89.3%, 82.6%), compared with T-SICI (0.811, 71.4%, 82.6%). However, when combining NfL and T-SICI, higher AUCs of 0.854 and 0.922 and specificities of 93.8 and 100 were found when considering all patients and patients with no UMN signs, respectively. INTERPRETATION Both T-SICI and NfL correlated with UMN involvement and combined, they provided a strong discrimination between ALS patients and ALS mimics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna B. Jacobsen
- Department of Clinical NeurophysiologyAarhus University HospitalAarhus N8200Denmark
| | - Hugh Bostock
- UCL Queen SquareInstitute of NeurologyQueen SquareLondonWC1N 3BGUK
| | - James Howells
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of SydneySydneyNSW2006Australia
| | - Bülent Cengiz
- Department of NeurologyGazi University Faculty of MedicineBeşevler06570AnkaraTurkey
| | - Gintaute Samusyte
- Department of Neurology, Medical AcademyLithuanian University of Health SciencesKaunas44307Lithuania
- Department of NeurologyLithuanian University of Health Sciences Hospital Kauno KlinikosKaunas50161Lithuania
| | - Martin Koltzenburg
- UCL Queen SquareInstitute of NeurologyQueen SquareLondonWC1N 3BGUK
- Department of Clinical NeurophysiologyNational Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryQueen SquareLondonWC1N 3BGUK
| | - Hossein Pia
- Department of Clinical NeurophysiologyAarhus University HospitalAarhus N8200Denmark
| | | | - Jakob Blicher
- Department of NeurologyAalborg University HospitalAalborg9000Denmark
| | - Izabella Obál
- Department of NeurologyAalborg University HospitalAalborg9000Denmark
| | - Henning Andersen
- Department of NeurologyAarhus University HospitalAarhus N8200Denmark
| | - Hatice Tankisi
- Department of Clinical NeurophysiologyAarhus University HospitalAarhus N8200Denmark
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7
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Wohnrade C, Seeliger T, Gingele S, Bjelica B, Skripuletz T, Petri S. Diagnostic value of neurofilaments in differentiating motor neuron disease from multifocal motor neuropathy. J Neurol 2024; 271:4441-4452. [PMID: 38683209 PMCID: PMC11233354 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12355-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the performance of serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNfH) as diagnostic biomarkers for the differentiation between motor neuron disease (MND) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). METHODS This retrospective, monocentric study included 16 patients with MMN and 34 incident patients with MND. A subgroup of lower motor neuron (MN) dominant MND patients (n = 24) was analyzed separately. Serum NfL was measured using Ella automated immunoassay, and CSF pNfH was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Area under the curve (AUC), optimal cutoff values (Youden's index), and correlations with demographic characteristics were calculated. RESULTS Neurofilament concentrations were significantly higher in MND compared to MMN (p < 0.001), and serum NfL and CSF pNfH correlated strongly with each other (Spearman's rho 0.68, p < 0.001). Serum NfL (AUC 0.946, sensitivity and specificity 94%) and CSF pNfH (AUC 0.937, sensitivity 90.0%, specificity 100%) performed excellent in differentiating MND from MMN. Optimal cutoff values were ≥ 44.15 pg/mL (serum NfL) and ≥ 715.5 pg/mL (CSF pNfH), respectively. Similar results were found when restricting the MND cohort to lower MN dominant patients. Only one MMN patient had serum NfL above the cutoff. Two MND patients presented with neurofilament concentrations below the cutoffs, both featuring a slowly progressive disease. CONCLUSION Neurofilaments are valuable supportive biomarkers for the differentiation between MND and MMN. Serum NfL and CSF pNfH perform similarly well and elevated neurofilaments in case of diagnostic uncertainty underpin MND diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Wohnrade
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Tabea Seeliger
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stefan Gingele
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bogdan Bjelica
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Skripuletz
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN) Hannover, 30559, Hannover, Germany
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Skarstein I, Ulvestad E, Solheim AM, Vedeler C, Ljøstad U, Mygland Å, Eikeland R, Reiso H, Lorentzen ÅR, Bos SD. Serum neurofilament light chain associates with symptom burden in Lyme neuroborreliosis patients: a longitudinal cohort study from Norway. J Neurol 2024; 271:2768-2775. [PMID: 38407594 PMCID: PMC11055709 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12237-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL), an indicator of neuronal damage, is increasingly recognized as a potential biomarker for disease activity in neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we wanted to investigate sNfL as a prognostic marker in a large, well-defined population of 90 patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB). In addition, we sought to explore associations between symptoms and sNfL levels during the acute phase of LNB. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients diagnosed with definite or possible LNB were recruited from a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial, in which the participants were randomly assigned to 2 or 6 weeks of oral doxycycline treatment. The sNfL levels were measured using a single molecule array assay at both diagnosis and 6-month follow-up, and analysed against clinical parameters, variations in symptom burden and long-term complaints as assessed by a composite clinical score. RESULTS At the time of diagnosis, approximately 60% of the patients had elevated sNfL levels adjusted for age. Notably, mean sNfL levels were significantly higher at diagnosis (52 pg/ml) compared to 6 months after treatment (12 pg/ml, p < 0.001), when sNfL levels had normalized in the majority of patients. Patients with objective signs of spinal radiculitis had significantly higher baseline sNfL levels compared to patients without spinal radiculitis (p = 0.033). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that sNfL can serve as a biomarker for peripheral nerve tissue involvement in the acute phase of LNB. As found in an earlier study, we confirm normalization of sNfL levels in blood after treatment. We found no prognostic value of acute-phase sNfL levels on patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingerid Skarstein
- Department of Microbiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Post Box 1400, 5021, Bergen, Norway.
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Elling Ulvestad
- Department of Microbiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Post Box 1400, 5021, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Anne Marit Solheim
- Department of Neurology, Sørlandet Hospital Trust, Kristiansand, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Christian Vedeler
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Unn Ljøstad
- Department of Neurology, Sørlandet Hospital Trust, Kristiansand, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Åse Mygland
- Department of Neurology, Sørlandet Hospital Trust, Kristiansand, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Section of Habilitation, Sørlandet Hospital Trust, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Randi Eikeland
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tick-Borne Diseases, Sørlandet Hospital Trust, Kristiansand, Norway
- Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, Norway
| | - Harald Reiso
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tick-Borne Diseases, Sørlandet Hospital Trust, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Åslaug Rudjord Lorentzen
- Department of Neurology, Sørlandet Hospital Trust, Kristiansand, Norway
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tick-Borne Diseases, Sørlandet Hospital Trust, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Steffan Daniel Bos
- Department of Microbiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Post Box 1400, 5021, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Cancer Registry of Norway, The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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9
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Khalil M, Teunissen CE, Lehmann S, Otto M, Piehl F, Ziemssen T, Bittner S, Sormani MP, Gattringer T, Abu-Rumeileh S, Thebault S, Abdelhak A, Green A, Benkert P, Kappos L, Comabella M, Tumani H, Freedman MS, Petzold A, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Leppert D, Kuhle J. Neurofilaments as biomarkers in neurological disorders - towards clinical application. Nat Rev Neurol 2024; 20:269-287. [PMID: 38609644 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-024-00955-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Neurofilament proteins have been validated as specific body fluid biomarkers of neuro-axonal injury. The advent of highly sensitive analytical platforms that enable reliable quantification of neurofilaments in blood samples and simplify longitudinal follow-up has paved the way for the development of neurofilaments as a biomarker in clinical practice. Potential applications include assessment of disease activity, monitoring of treatment responses, and determining prognosis in many acute and chronic neurological disorders as well as their use as an outcome measure in trials of novel therapies. Progress has now moved the measurement of neurofilaments to the doorstep of routine clinical practice for the evaluation of individuals. In this Review, we first outline current knowledge on the structure and function of neurofilaments. We then discuss analytical and statistical approaches and challenges in determining neurofilament levels in different clinical contexts and assess the implications of neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in normal ageing and the confounding factors that need to be considered when interpreting NfL measures. In addition, we summarize the current value and potential clinical applications of neurofilaments as a biomarker of neuro-axonal damage in a range of neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer disease, frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stroke and cerebrovascular disease, traumatic brain injury, and Parkinson disease. We also consider the steps needed to complete the translation of neurofilaments from the laboratory to the management of neurological diseases in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Khalil
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Charlotte E Teunissen
- Neurochemistry Laboratory Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sylvain Lehmann
- LBPC-PPC, Université de Montpellier, INM INSERM, IRMB CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Fredrik Piehl
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tjalf Ziemssen
- Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Bittner
- Department of Neurology, Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), and Immunotherapy (FZI), Rhine-Main Neuroscience Network (rmn2), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Maria Pia Sormani
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Thomas Gattringer
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Division of Neuroradiology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Samir Abu-Rumeileh
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Simon Thebault
- Multiple Sclerosis Division, Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ahmed Abdelhak
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ari Green
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Pascal Benkert
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre and Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience (RC2NB), Departments of Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ludwig Kappos
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre and Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience (RC2NB), Departments of Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Comabella
- Neurology Department, Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hayrettin Tumani
- Department of Neurology, CSF Laboratory, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Mark S Freedman
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Axel Petzold
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, MS Centre and Neuro-ophthalmology Expertise Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and the Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Paris Brain Institute, ICM, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
- Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, and Department of Neurology, Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, University of Science and Technology of China and First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei, P. R. China
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - David Leppert
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre and Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience (RC2NB), Departments of Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jens Kuhle
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre and Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience (RC2NB), Departments of Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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10
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Agnello L, Gambino CM, Ciaccio AM, Masucci A, Vassallo R, Tamburello M, Scazzone C, Lo Sasso B, Ciaccio M. Molecular Biomarkers of Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Practical Guide to Their Appropriate Use and Interpretation in Clinical Practice. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4323. [PMID: 38673907 PMCID: PMC11049959 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084323] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) represent a group of different diseases characterized by the progressive degeneration and death of the nervous system's cells. The diagnosis is challenging, especially in the early stages, due to no specific clinical signs and symptoms. In this context, laboratory medicine could support clinicians in detecting and differentiating NDs. Indeed, biomarkers could indicate the pathological mechanisms underpinning NDs. The ideal biofluid for detecting the biomarkers of NDs is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which has limitations, hampering its widespread use in clinical practice. However, intensive efforts are underway to introduce high-sensitivity analytical methods to detect ND biomarkers in alternative nonivasive biofluid, such as blood or saliva. This study presents an overview of the ND molecular biomarkers currently used in clinical practice. For some diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or multiple sclerosis, biomarkers are well established and recommended by guidelines. However, for most NDs, intensive research is ongoing to identify reliable and specific biomarkers, and no consensus has yet been achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Agnello
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine, and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.A.); (C.M.G.); (A.M.); (R.V.); (M.T.); (C.S.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Caterina Maria Gambino
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine, and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.A.); (C.M.G.); (A.M.); (R.V.); (M.T.); (C.S.); (B.L.S.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Ciaccio
- Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”, Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Anna Masucci
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine, and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.A.); (C.M.G.); (A.M.); (R.V.); (M.T.); (C.S.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Roberta Vassallo
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine, and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.A.); (C.M.G.); (A.M.); (R.V.); (M.T.); (C.S.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Martina Tamburello
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine, and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.A.); (C.M.G.); (A.M.); (R.V.); (M.T.); (C.S.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Concetta Scazzone
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine, and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.A.); (C.M.G.); (A.M.); (R.V.); (M.T.); (C.S.); (B.L.S.)
| | - Bruna Lo Sasso
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine, and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.A.); (C.M.G.); (A.M.); (R.V.); (M.T.); (C.S.); (B.L.S.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Marcello Ciaccio
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine, and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (L.A.); (C.M.G.); (A.M.); (R.V.); (M.T.); (C.S.); (B.L.S.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital “P. Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy
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11
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Oliveri S, Bocci T, Maiorana NV, Guidetti M, Cimino A, Rosci C, Ghilardi G, Priori A. Cognitive trajectories after surgery: Guideline hints for assessment and treatment. Brain Cogn 2024; 176:106141. [PMID: 38458027 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2024.106141] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Elderly patients who undergo major surgery (not-neurosurgical) under general anaesthesia frequently complain about cognitive difficulties, especially during the first weeks after surgical "trauma". Although recovery usually occurs within a month, about one out of four patients develops full-blown postoperative Neurocognitive disorders (NCD) which compromise quality of life or daily autonomy. Mild/Major NCD affect approximately 10% of patients from three months to one year after major surgery. Neuroinflammation has emerged to have a critical role in the postoperative NCDs pathogenesis, through microglial activation and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines which increase blood-brain-barrier permeability, enhance movement of leukocytes into the central nervous system (CNS) and favour the neuronal damage. Moreover, pre-existing Mild Cognitive Impairment, alcohol or drugs consumption, depression and other factors, together with several intraoperative and post-operative sequelae, can exacerbate the severity and duration of NCDs. In this context it is crucial rely on current progresses in serum and CSF biomarker analysis to frame neuroinflammation levels, along with establishing standard protocol for neuropsychological assessment (with specific set of tools) and to apply cognitive training or neuromodulation techniques to reduce the incidence of postoperative NCDs when required. It is recommended to identify those patients who would need such preventive intervention early, by including them in pre-operative and post-operative comprehensive evaluation and prevent the development of a full-blown dementia after surgery. This contribution reports all the recent progresses in the NCDs diagnostic classification, pathogenesis discoveries and possible treatments, with the aim to systematize current evidences and provide guidelines for multidisciplinary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Oliveri
- "Aldo Ravelli" Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutics Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Italy; Neurological Clinic, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale - Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
| | - Tommaso Bocci
- "Aldo Ravelli" Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutics Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Italy; Neurological Clinic, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale - Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Natale Vincenzo Maiorana
- "Aldo Ravelli" Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutics Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Guidetti
- "Aldo Ravelli" Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutics Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Cimino
- Department of Health Science, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy; Neurosurgery Unit, Neuroscience Department, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Chiara Rosci
- Neurological Clinic, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale - Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Ghilardi
- Department of Health Science, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy; General Surgery Unit, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale - Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Priori
- "Aldo Ravelli" Center for Neurotechnology and Brain Therapeutics Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Italy; Neurological Clinic, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale - Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
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12
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Vrillon A, Ashton NJ, Karikari TK, Götze K, Cognat E, Dumurgier J, Lilamand M, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Paquet C. Comparison of CSF and plasma NfL and pNfH for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis: a memory clinic study. J Neurol 2024; 271:1297-1310. [PMID: 37950758 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12066-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a promising biomarker of axonal damage for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. Phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNfH) has demonstrated its value in motor neuron diseases diagnosis, but has less been explored for dementia diagnosis. In a cross-sectional study, we compared cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma NfL and pNfH levels in n = 188 patients from Lariboisière Hospital, Paris, France, including AD patients at mild cognitive impairment stage (AD-MCI, n = 36) and dementia stage (n = 64), non-AD MCI (n = 38), non-AD dementia (n = 28) patients and control subjects (n = 22). Plasma NfL, plasma and CSF pNfH levels were measured using Simoa and CSF NfL using ELISA. The correlation between CSF and plasma levels was stronger for NfL than pNfH (rho = 0.77 and rho = 0.52, respectively). All neurofilament markers were increased in AD-MCI, AD dementia and non-AD dementia groups compared with controls. CSF NfL, CSF pNfH and plasma NfL showed high performance to discriminate AD at both MCI and dementia stages from control subjects [AUC (area under the curve) = 0.82-0.91]. Plasma pNfH displayed overall lower AUCs for discrimination between groups compared with CSF pNfH. Neurofilament markers showed similar moderate association with cognition. NfL levels displayed significant association with mediotemporal lobe atrophy and white matter lesions in the AD group. Our results suggest that CSF NfL and pNfH as well as plasma NfL levels display equivalent performance in both positive and differential AD diagnosis in memory clinic settings. In contrast to motoneuron disorders, plasma pNfH did not demonstrate added value as compared with plasma NfL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Vrillon
- Cognitive Neurology Center, Lariboisière Fernand Widal Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.
- INSERM U1144, Therapeutic Optimization in Neuropsychopharmacology, Paris, France.
| | - Nicholas J Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Maurice Wohl Institute Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health and Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, UK
- Centre for Age-Related Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Thomas K Karikari
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Karl Götze
- INSERM U1144, Therapeutic Optimization in Neuropsychopharmacology, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Cognat
- Cognitive Neurology Center, Lariboisière Fernand Widal Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- INSERM U1144, Therapeutic Optimization in Neuropsychopharmacology, Paris, France
| | - Julien Dumurgier
- Cognitive Neurology Center, Lariboisière Fernand Widal Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Matthieu Lilamand
- Cognitive Neurology Center, Lariboisière Fernand Widal Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Maurice Wohl Institute Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - 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
| | - Claire Paquet
- Cognitive Neurology Center, Lariboisière Fernand Widal Hospital, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- INSERM U1144, Therapeutic Optimization in Neuropsychopharmacology, Paris, France
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13
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Witzel S, Statland JM, Steinacker P, Otto M, Dorst J, Schuster J, Barohn RJ, Ludolph AC. Longitudinal course of neurofilament light chain levels in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-insights from a completed randomized controlled trial with rasagiline. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16154. [PMID: 37975796 PMCID: PMC11235763 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16154] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Rasagiline might be disease modifying in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The aim was to evaluate the effect of rasagiline 2 mg/day on neurofilament light chain (NfL), a prognostic biomarker in ALS. METHODS In 65 patients with ALS randomized in a 3:1 ratio to rasagiline 2 mg/day (n = 48) or placebo (n = 17) in a completed randomized controlled multicentre trial, NfL levels in plasma were measured at baseline, month 6 and month 12. Longitudinal changes in NfL levels were evaluated regarding treatment and clinical parameters. RESULTS Baseline NfL levels did not differ between the study arms and correlated with disease progression rates both pre-baseline (r = 0.64, p < 0.001) and during the study (r = 0.61, p < 0.001). NfL measured at months 6 and 12 did not change significantly from baseline in both arms, with a median individual NfL change of +1.4 pg/mL (interquartile range [IQR] -5.6, 14.2) across all follow-up time points. However, a significant difference in NfL change at month 12 was observed between patients with high and low NfL baseline levels treated with rasagiline (high [n = 13], -6.9 pg/mL, IQR -20.4, 6.0; low [n = 18], +5.9 pg/mL, IQR -1.4, 19.7; p = 0.025). Additionally, generally higher longitudinal NfL variability was observed in patients with high baseline levels, whereas disease progression rates and disease duration at baseline had no impact on the longitudinal NfL course. CONCLUSION Post hoc NfL measurements in completed clinical trials are helpful in interpreting NfL data from ongoing and future interventional trials and could provide hypothesis-generating complementary insights. Further studies are warranted to ultimately differentiate NfL response to treatment from other factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Markus Otto
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of HalleHalle (Saale)Germany
| | | | - Joachim Schuster
- Department of NeurologyUlm UniversityUlmGermany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)UlmGermany
| | - Richard J. Barohn
- School of Medicine, NextGen Precision Health, University of MissouriColumbiaMissouriUSA
| | - Albert C. Ludolph
- Department of NeurologyUlm UniversityUlmGermany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)UlmGermany
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14
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Darabi S, Ariaei A, Rustamzadeh A, Afshari D, Charkhat Gorgich EA, Darabi L. Cerebrospinal fluid and blood exosomes as biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; a systematic review. Diagn Pathol 2024; 19:47. [PMID: 38429818 PMCID: PMC10908104 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-024-01473-6] [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: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal motor neuron disease. Due to the limited knowledge about potential biomarkers that help in early diagnosis and monitoring disease progression, today's diagnoses are based on ruling out other diseases, neurography, and electromyography examination, which takes a time-consuming procedure. METHODS PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science were explored to extract articles published from January 2015 to June 2023. In the searching strategy following keywords were included; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, biomarkers, cerebrospinal fluid, serum, and plama. RESULTS A total number of 6 studies describing fluid-based exosomal biomarkers were included in this study. Aggregated proteins including SOD1, TDP-43, pTDP-43, and FUS could be detected in the microvesicles (MVs). Moreover, TDP-43 and NFL extracted from plasma exosomes could be used as prognostic biomarkers. Also, downregulated miR-27a-3p detected through exoEasy Maxi and exoQuick Kit in the plasma could be measured as a diagnostic biomarker. Eventually, the upregulated level of CORO1A could be used to monitor disease progression. CONCLUSION Based on the results, each biomarker alone is insufficient to evaluate ALS. CNS-derived exosomes contain multiple ALS-related biomarkers (SOD1, TDP-43, pTDP-43, FUS, and miRNAs) that are detectable in cerebrospinal fluid and blood is a proper alternation. Exosome detecting kits listed as exoEasy, ExoQuick, Exo-spin, ME kit, ExoQuick Plus, and Exo-Flow, are helpful to reach this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahram Darabi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Non-communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Armin Ariaei
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Auob Rustamzadeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Non-communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Highway, next to Milad Tower, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Dariush Afshari
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | | | - Leila Darabi
- Department of Neurology, Tehran Medical Science Branch, Amir Al Momenin Hospital, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
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15
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Kläppe U, Sennfält S, Lovik A, Finn A, Bofaisal U, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Piehl F, Kmezic I, Press R, Samuelsson K, Månberg A, Fang F, Ingre C. Neurodegenerative biomarkers outperform neuroinflammatory biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:150-161. [PMID: 37789557 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2263874] [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: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the diagnostic and prognostic performance, and longitudinal trajectories, of potential biomarkers of neuroaxonal degeneration and neuroinflammation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS This case-control study included 192 incident ALS patients, 42 ALS mimics, 114 neurological controls, and 117 healthy controls from Stockholm, Sweden. Forty-four ALS patients provided repeated measurements. We assessed biomarkers of (1)neuroaxonal degeneration: neurofilament light (NfL) and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy (pNfH) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and NfL in serum, and (2)neuroinflammation: chitotriosidase-1 (CHIT1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in CSF. To evaluate diagnostic performance, we calculated the area under the curve (AUC). To estimate prognostic performance, we applied quantile regression and Cox regression. We used linear regression models with robust standard errors to assess temporal changes over time. RESULTS Neurofilaments performed better at differentiating ALS patients from mimics (AUC: pNfH 0.92, CSF NfL 0.86, serum NfL 0.91) than neuroinflammatory biomarkers (AUC: CHIT1 0.71, MCP-1 0.56). Combining biomarkers did not improve diagnostic performance. Similarly, neurofilaments performed better than neuroinflammatory biomarkers at predicting functional decline and survival. The stratified analysis revealed differences according to the site of onset: in bulbar patients, neurofilaments and CHIT1 performed worse at predicting survival and correlations were lower between biomarkers. Finally, in bulbar patients, neurofilaments and CHIT1 increased longitudinally but were stable in spinal patients. CONCLUSIONS Biomarkers of neuroaxonal degeneration displayed better diagnostic and prognostic value compared with neuroinflammatory biomarkers. However, in contrast to spinal patients, in bulbar patients neurofilaments and CHIT1 performed worse at predicting survival and seemed to increase over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulf Kläppe
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefan Sennfält
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anikó Lovik
- Unit of Integrative Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Methodology and Statistics Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anja Finn
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Bofaisal
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA, and
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Piehl
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ivan Kmezic
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rayomand Press
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristin Samuelsson
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Månberg
- Division of Affinity Proteomics, Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fang Fang
- Unit of Integrative Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Caroline Ingre
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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16
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Ongphichetmetha T, Thanapornsangsuth P, Luechaipanit W, Loymunkong N, Rattanawong W, Hiransuthikul A, Supharatpariyakorn T, Sriswasdi S, Hemachudha T. Neurofilament light chain for classifying the aetiology of alteration of consciousness. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad278. [PMID: 37942089 PMCID: PMC10629465 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofilament light chain has become a promising biomarker for neuroaxonal injury; however, its diagnostic utility is limited to chronic disorders or specific contexts. Alteration of consciousness is a common clinical problem with diverse aetiologies, many of which require timely diagnoses. We evaluated the value of neurofilament light chain alone, as well as creating diagnostic models, in distinguishing causes of alteration of consciousness. Patients presenting with alteration of consciousness were enrolled. Initial clinical data of each participant were evaluated by a neurologist to give a provisional diagnosis. Each participant subsequently received advanced investigations and follow-up to conclude the final diagnosis. All diagnoses were classified into a structural or non-structural cause of alteration of consciousness. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of neurofilament light chain were measured. Cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain and other clinical parameters were used to develop logistic regression models. The performance of cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain, the neurologist's provisional diagnosis, and the model to predict the final diagnosis were compared. For the results, among 71 participants enrolled, 67.6% and 32.4% of their final diagnoses were classified as structural and non-structural, respectively. Cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.75 (95% confidence interval 0.63-0.88) which was not significantly different from a neurologist's provisional diagnosis 0.85 (95% confidence interval 0.75-0.94) (P = 0.14). The multivariable regression model using cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain and other basic clinical data achieved an area under the curve of 0.90 (95% confidence interval 0.83-0.98). In conclusion, neurofilament light chain classified causes of alteration of consciousness with moderate accuracy. Nevertheless, including other basic clinical data to construct a model improved the performance to a level that was comparable to clinical neurologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatchaporn Ongphichetmetha
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Siriraj Neuroimmunology Center, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Poosanu Thanapornsangsuth
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Centre, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training on Viral Zoonoses, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Watayuth Luechaipanit
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Centre, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training on Viral Zoonoses, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Nattawan Loymunkong
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Centre, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training on Viral Zoonoses, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Wanakorn Rattanawong
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand
| | - Akarin Hiransuthikul
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Thirawat Supharatpariyakorn
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Centre, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training on Viral Zoonoses, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Sira Sriswasdi
- Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Computational Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Thiravat Hemachudha
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Centre, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training on Viral Zoonoses, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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17
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Veje M, Griška V, Pakalnienė J, Mickienė A, Bremell D, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Lindquist L, Studahl M. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid brain damage markers neurofilament light and glial fibrillary acidic protein correlate with tick-borne encephalitis disease severity-a multicentre study on Lithuanian and Swedish patients. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:3182-3189. [PMID: 37431060 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15978] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Our aim was to examine the correlation between biomarkers of neuronal and glial cell damage and severity of disease in patients with tick-borne encephalitis. METHODS One hundred and fifteen patients with tick-borne encephalitis diagnosed in Lithuania and Sweden were prospectively included, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples were obtained shortly after hospitalization. Using pre-defined criteria, cases were classified as mild, moderate or severe tick-borne encephalitis. Additionally, the presence of spinal nerve paralysis (myelitis) and/or cranial nerve affection were noted. Concentrations of the brain cell biomarkers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), YKL-40, S100B, neurogranin, neurofilament light (NfL) and tau were analysed in CSF and, in addition, NfL, GFAP and S100B levels were measured in serum. The Jonckheere-Terpstra test was used for group comparisons of continuous variables and Spearman's partial correlation test was used to adjust for age. RESULTS Cerebrospinal fluid and serum concentrations of GFAP and NfL correlated with disease severity, independent of age, and with the presence of nerve paralysis. The markers neurogranin, YKL-40, tau and S100B in CSF and S100B in serum were detected, but their concentrations did not correlate with disease severity. CONCLUSIONS Neuronal cell damage and astroglial cell activation with increased NfL and GFAP in CSF and serum were associated with a more severe disease, independent of age. Increased GFAP and NfL concentrations in CSF and NfL in serum were also indicative of spinal and/or cranial nerve damage. NfL and GFAP are promising prognostic biomarkers in tick-borne encephalitis, and future studies should focus on determining the association between these biomarkers and long-term sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Veje
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska Academy at the Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Vytautas Griška
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Jolita Pakalnienė
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Auksė Mickienė
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Daniel Bremell
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska Academy at the Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Lars Lindquist
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Studahl
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska Academy at the Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Department of Infectious Diseases, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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18
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Teunissen CE, Kimble L, Bayoumy S, Bolsewig K, Burtscher F, Coppens S, Das S, Gogishvili D, Fernandes Gomes B, Gómez de San José N, Mavrina E, Meda FJ, Mohaupt P, Mravinacová S, Waury K, Wojdała AL, Abeln S, Chiasserini D, Hirtz C, Gaetani L, Vermunt L, Bellomo G, Halbgebauer S, Lehmann S, Månberg A, Nilsson P, Otto M, Vanmechelen E, Verberk IMW, Willemse E, Zetterberg H. Methods to Discover and Validate Biofluid-Based Biomarkers in Neurodegenerative Dementias. Mol Cell Proteomics 2023; 22:100629. [PMID: 37557955 PMCID: PMC10594029 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative dementias are progressive diseases that cause neuronal network breakdown in different brain regions often because of accumulation of misfolded proteins in the brain extracellular matrix, such as amyloids or inside neurons or other cell types of the brain. Several diagnostic protein biomarkers in body fluids are being used and implemented, such as for Alzheimer's disease. However, there is still a lack of biomarkers for co-pathologies and other causes of dementia. Such biofluid-based biomarkers enable precision medicine approaches for diagnosis and treatment, allow to learn more about underlying disease processes, and facilitate the development of patient inclusion and evaluation tools in clinical trials. When designing studies to discover novel biofluid-based biomarkers, choice of technology is an important starting point. But there are so many technologies to choose among. To address this, we here review the technologies that are currently available in research settings and, in some cases, in clinical laboratory practice. This presents a form of lexicon on each technology addressing its use in research and clinics, its strengths and limitations, and a future perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte E Teunissen
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Neurochemistry Lab, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Leighann Kimble
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; KIN Center for Digital Innovation, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sherif Bayoumy
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Neurochemistry Lab, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Katharina Bolsewig
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Neurochemistry Lab, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Felicia Burtscher
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Salomé Coppens
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; National Measurement Laboratory at LGC, Teddington, United Kingdom
| | - Shreyasee Das
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ADx NeuroSciences, Gent, Belgium
| | - Dea Gogishvili
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Computer Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bárbara Fernandes Gomes
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Nerea Gómez de San José
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Mavrina
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; KIN Center for Digital Innovation, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Francisco J Meda
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Pablo Mohaupt
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; LBPC-PPC, IRMB CHU Montpellier, INM INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Sára Mravinacová
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Division of Affinity Proteomics, Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SciLifeLab, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katharina Waury
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Computer Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anna Lidia Wojdała
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sanne Abeln
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Computer Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Davide Chiasserini
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Section of Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Christophe Hirtz
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; LBPC-PPC, IRMB CHU Montpellier, INM INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Lorenzo Gaetani
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Lisa Vermunt
- Neurochemistry Lab, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Giovanni Bellomo
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Steffen Halbgebauer
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE e.V.), Ulm, Germany
| | - Sylvain Lehmann
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; LBPC-PPC, IRMB CHU Montpellier, INM INSERM, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Anna Månberg
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Division of Affinity Proteomics, Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SciLifeLab, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Nilsson
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Division of Affinity Proteomics, Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SciLifeLab, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Markus Otto
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany; Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Eugeen Vanmechelen
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ADx NeuroSciences, Gent, Belgium
| | - Inge M W Verberk
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Neurochemistry Lab, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eline Willemse
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Neurochemistry Lab, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- MIRIADE Consortium, Multiomics Interdisciplinary Research Integration to Address DEmentia diagnosis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; 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; Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK; Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China; Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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19
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Wilcox M, Rayner MLD, Guillemot‐Legris O, Platt I, Brown H, Quick T, Phillips JB. Serum neurofilament light chain measurements following nerve trauma. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2023; 28:500-507. [PMID: 37349878 PMCID: PMC10659102 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optimal functional recovery following peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) is dependent upon early recognition and prompt referral to specialist centres for appropriate surgical intervention. Technologies which facilitate the early detection of PNI would allow faster referral rates and encourage improvements in patient outcomes. Serum Neurofilament light chain (NfL) measurements are cheaper to perform, easier to access and interpret than many conventional methods used for nerve injury diagnosis, such as electromyography and/or magnetic resonance imaging assessments, but changes in serum NfL levels following traumatic PNI have not been investigated. This pre-clinical study aimed to determine whether serum NfL levels can: (1) detect the presence of a nerve trauma and (2) delineate between different severities of nerve trauma. METHODS A rat sciatic nerve crush and common peroneal nerve crush were implemented as controlled animal models of nerve injury. At 1-, 3-, 7- and 21-days post-injury, serum samples were retrieved for analysis using the SIMOA® NfL analyser kit. Nerve samples were also retrieved for histological analysis. Static sciatic index (SSI) was measured at regular time intervals following injury. RESULTS Significant 45-fold and 20-fold increases in NfL serum levels were seen 1-day post-injury following sciatic and common peroneal nerve injury, respectively. This corresponded with an eightfold higher volume of axons injured in the sciatic compared to the common peroneal nerve (p < .001). SSI measurements post-injury revealed greater reduction in function in the sciatic crush group compared with the common peroneal crush group. CONCLUSIONS NfL serum measurements represent a promising method for detecting traumatic PNI and stratifying their severity. Clinical translation of these findings could provide a powerful tool to improve the surgical management of nerve-injured patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Wilcox
- UCL School of PharmacyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- UCL Centre for Nerve EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Peripheral Nerve Injury Research UnitRoyal National Orthopaedic HospitalLondonUK
| | - Melissa L. D. Rayner
- UCL School of PharmacyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- UCL Centre for Nerve EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Owein Guillemot‐Legris
- UCL School of PharmacyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- UCL Centre for Nerve EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Isobel Platt
- UCL Medical SchoolUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Hazel Brown
- UCL School of PharmacyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- UCL Centre for Nerve EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Peripheral Nerve Injury Research UnitRoyal National Orthopaedic HospitalLondonUK
| | - Tom Quick
- UCL Centre for Nerve EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Peripheral Nerve Injury Research UnitRoyal National Orthopaedic HospitalLondonUK
- Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal ScienceUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - James B. Phillips
- UCL School of PharmacyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- UCL Centre for Nerve EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonUK
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Barba L, Abu-Rumeileh S, Halbgebauer S, Bellomo G, Paolini Paoletti F, Gaetani L, Oeckl P, Steinacker P, Massa F, Parnetti L, Otto M. CSF Synaptic Biomarkers in AT(N)-Based Subgroups of Lewy Body Disease. Neurology 2023; 101:e50-e62. [PMID: 37188538 PMCID: PMC10351307 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Patients with Lewy body disease (LBD) often show a co-occurring Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology. CSF biomarkers allow the detection in vivo of AD-related pathologic hallmarks included in the amyloid-tau-neurodegeneration (AT(N)) classification system. Here, we aimed to investigate whether CSF biomarkers of synaptic and neuroaxonal damage are correlated with the presence of AD copathology in LBD and can be useful to differentiate patients with LBD with different AT(N) profiles. METHODS We retrospectively measured CSF levels of AD core biomarkers (Aβ42/40 ratio, phosphorylated tau protein, and total tau protein) and of synaptic (β-synuclein, α-synuclein, synaptosomal-associated protein 25 [SNAP-25], and neurogranin) and neuroaxonal proteins (neurofilament light chain [NfL]) in 28 cognitively unimpaired participants with nondegenerative neurologic conditions and 161 participants with a diagnosis of either LBD or AD (at both mild cognitive impairment, AD-MCI, and dementia stages, AD-dem). We compared CSF biomarker levels in clinical and AT(N)-based subgroups. RESULTS CSF β-synuclein, α-synuclein, SNAP-25, neurogranin, and NfL levels did not differ between LBD (n = 101, age 67.2 ± 7.8 years, 27.7% females) and controls (age 64.8 ± 8.6 years, 39.3% females) and were increased in AD (AD-MCI: n = 30, AD-dem: n = 30, age 72.3 ± 6.0 years, 63.3% females) compared with both groups (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). In LBD, we found increased levels of synaptic and neuroaxonal degeneration biomarkers in patients with A+T+ (LBD/A+T+) than with A-T- profiles (LBD/A-T-) (p < 0.01 for all), and β-synuclein showed the highest discriminative accuracy between the 2 groups (area under the curve 0.938, 95% CI 0.884-0.991). CSF β-synuclein (p = 0.0021), α-synuclein (p = 0.0099), and SNAP-25 concentrations (p = 0.013) were also higher in LBD/A+T+ than in LBD/A+T- cases, which had synaptic biomarker levels within the normal range. CSF α-synuclein was significantly decreased only in patients with LBD with T- profiles compared with controls (p = 0.0448). Moreover, LBD/A+T+ and AD cases did not differ in any biomarker level. DISCUSSION LBD/A+T+ and AD cases showed significantly increased CSF levels of synaptic and neuroaxonal biomarkers compared with LBD/A-T- and control subjects. Patients with LBD and AT(N)-based AD copathology showed, thus, a distinct signature of synaptic dysfunction from other LBD cases. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class II evidence that CSF levels of β-synuclein, α-synuclein, SNAP-25, neurogranin, and NfL are higher in patients with AD than in patients with LBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Barba
- From the Department of Neurology (L.B., S.A.-R., P.S., M.O.), Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany; Section of Neurology (L.B., G.B., F.P.P., L.G., L.P.), Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Italy; Department of Neurology (S.H., P.O., M.O.), Ulm University, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders Ulm (DZNE e.V.) (P.O.); and Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (F.M.), University of Genoa, Italy.
| | - Samir Abu-Rumeileh
- From the Department of Neurology (L.B., S.A.-R., P.S., M.O.), Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany; Section of Neurology (L.B., G.B., F.P.P., L.G., L.P.), Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Italy; Department of Neurology (S.H., P.O., M.O.), Ulm University, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders Ulm (DZNE e.V.) (P.O.); and Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (F.M.), University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Steffen Halbgebauer
- From the Department of Neurology (L.B., S.A.-R., P.S., M.O.), Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany; Section of Neurology (L.B., G.B., F.P.P., L.G., L.P.), Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Italy; Department of Neurology (S.H., P.O., M.O.), Ulm University, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders Ulm (DZNE e.V.) (P.O.); and Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (F.M.), University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bellomo
- From the Department of Neurology (L.B., S.A.-R., P.S., M.O.), Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany; Section of Neurology (L.B., G.B., F.P.P., L.G., L.P.), Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Italy; Department of Neurology (S.H., P.O., M.O.), Ulm University, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders Ulm (DZNE e.V.) (P.O.); and Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (F.M.), University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Paolini Paoletti
- From the Department of Neurology (L.B., S.A.-R., P.S., M.O.), Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany; Section of Neurology (L.B., G.B., F.P.P., L.G., L.P.), Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Italy; Department of Neurology (S.H., P.O., M.O.), Ulm University, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders Ulm (DZNE e.V.) (P.O.); and Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (F.M.), University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Gaetani
- From the Department of Neurology (L.B., S.A.-R., P.S., M.O.), Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany; Section of Neurology (L.B., G.B., F.P.P., L.G., L.P.), Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Italy; Department of Neurology (S.H., P.O., M.O.), Ulm University, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders Ulm (DZNE e.V.) (P.O.); and Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (F.M.), University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Patrick Oeckl
- From the Department of Neurology (L.B., S.A.-R., P.S., M.O.), Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany; Section of Neurology (L.B., G.B., F.P.P., L.G., L.P.), Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Italy; Department of Neurology (S.H., P.O., M.O.), Ulm University, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders Ulm (DZNE e.V.) (P.O.); and Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (F.M.), University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Petra Steinacker
- From the Department of Neurology (L.B., S.A.-R., P.S., M.O.), Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany; Section of Neurology (L.B., G.B., F.P.P., L.G., L.P.), Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Italy; Department of Neurology (S.H., P.O., M.O.), Ulm University, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders Ulm (DZNE e.V.) (P.O.); and Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (F.M.), University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Massa
- From the Department of Neurology (L.B., S.A.-R., P.S., M.O.), Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany; Section of Neurology (L.B., G.B., F.P.P., L.G., L.P.), Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Italy; Department of Neurology (S.H., P.O., M.O.), Ulm University, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders Ulm (DZNE e.V.) (P.O.); and Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (F.M.), University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Lucilla Parnetti
- From the Department of Neurology (L.B., S.A.-R., P.S., M.O.), Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany; Section of Neurology (L.B., G.B., F.P.P., L.G., L.P.), Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Italy; Department of Neurology (S.H., P.O., M.O.), Ulm University, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders Ulm (DZNE e.V.) (P.O.); and Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (F.M.), University of Genoa, Italy
| | - Markus Otto
- From the Department of Neurology (L.B., S.A.-R., P.S., M.O.), Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Germany; Section of Neurology (L.B., G.B., F.P.P., L.G., L.P.), Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Italy; Department of Neurology (S.H., P.O., M.O.), Ulm University, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders Ulm (DZNE e.V.) (P.O.); and Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (F.M.), University of Genoa, Italy.
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Andreasson U, Gobom J, Delatour V, Auclair G, Noam Y, Lee S, Wen J, Jeromin A, Arslan B, Maceski A, Willemse E, Zetterberg H, Kuhle J, Blennow K. Assessing the commutability of candidate reference materials for the harmonization of neurofilament light measurements in blood. Clin Chem Lab Med 2023; 61:1245-1254. [PMID: 36709509 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2022-1181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentration in blood is a biomarker of neuro-axonal injury in the nervous system and there now exist several assays with high enough sensitivity to measure NfL in serum and plasma. There is a need for harmonization with the goal of creating a certified reference material (CRM) for NfL and an early step in such an effort is to determine the best matrix for the CRM. This is done in a commutability study and here the results of the first one for NfL in blood is presented. METHODS Forty paired individual serum and plasma samples were analyzed for NfL on four different analytical platforms. Neat and differently spiked serum and plasma were evaluated for their suitability as a CRM using the difference in bias approach. RESULTS The correlation between the different platforms with regards to measured NfL concentrations were very high (Spearman's ρ≥0.96). Samples spiked with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed higher commutability compared to samples spiked with recombinant human NfL protein and serum seems to be a better choice than plasma as the matrix for a CRM. CONCLUSIONS The results from this first commutability study on NfL in serum/plasma showed that it is feasible to create a CRM for NfL in blood and that spiking should be done using CSF rather than with recombinant human NfL protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulf Andreasson
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Johan Gobom
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | | | - Guy Auclair
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Geel, Belgium
| | - Yoav Noam
- ProteinSimple, a Bio-Techne Brand, Wallingford, CT, USA
| | - Stephen Lee
- Siemens Healthcare Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jason Wen
- Siemens Healthcare Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Burak Arslan
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Aleksandra Maceski
- Neurology, MS Center and Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eline Willemse
- Neurology, MS Center and Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jens Kuhle
- Neurology, MS Center and Research Center for Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neuroscience Basel (RC2NB), Departments of Head, Spine and Neuromedicine, Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
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22
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Bircak-Kuchtova B, Chung HY, Wickel J, Ehler J, Geis C. Neurofilament light chains to assess sepsis-associated encephalopathy: Are we on the track toward clinical implementation? Crit Care 2023; 27:214. [PMID: 37259091 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-023-04497-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is the most common cause of admission to intensive care units worldwide. Sepsis patients frequently suffer from sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) reflecting acute brain dysfunction. SAE may result in increased mortality, extended length of hospital stay, and long-term cognitive dysfunction. The diagnosis of SAE is based on clinical assessments, but a valid biomarker to identify and confirm SAE and to assess SAE severity is missing. Several blood-based biomarkers indicating neuronal injury have been evaluated in sepsis and their potential role as early diagnosis and prognostic markers has been studied. Among those, the neuroaxonal injury marker neurofilament light chain (NfL) was identified to potentially serve as a prognostic biomarker for SAE and to predict long-term cognitive impairment. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of biomarkers, especially NfL, in SAE and discuss a possible future clinical application considering existing limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Bircak-Kuchtova
- Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department for Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Ha-Yeun Chung
- Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department for Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany.
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, 07747, Jena, Germany.
| | - Jonathan Wickel
- Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department for Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Johannes Ehler
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Geis
- Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department for Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, 07747, Jena, Germany
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23
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Diagnostic utility of neurofilament markers for MND is limited in restricted disease phenotype and for differentiation from compressive myeloradiculopathies. J Neurol 2023; 270:1600-1614. [PMID: 36456758 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11504-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Misdiagnosis is frequent in early motor neuron disease (MND), typically compressive radiculopathy, or in patients with restricted MND phenotype. In this retrospective, single tertiary centre study, we measured levels of neurofilament light (NfL) and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy (p-NfH) chain in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and of p-NfH in serum with commercially available ELISA kits and assessed their respective diagnostic performance as a marker of MND. The entire study population (n = 164) comprised 71 MND patients, 30 patients with compressive myelo- or radiculopathy, and 63 disease controls (DC). Among MND patients, we specified subgroups with only lower motoneuron involvement (MND-LMN, n = 15) and with confounding nerve roots or spinal cord compression (MND-C, n = 18), representing clinical diagnostic pitfalls. MND-LMN displayed significantly lower CSF NfL (p = 0.003) and p-NFH (p = 0.017), but not serum p-NfH (p = 0.347) levels compared to other MND patients (n = 56). The discriminative ability (area under the curve-AUC) of both CSF Nfs towards all MND patients was comparable to each other but significantly higher than that of p-NfH in serum (ps < 0.001). AUC of both CSF Nfs between MND-LMN and DC and also between MND-C and myelo-/radiculopathies were reduced, as compared to AUC between other MND and DC or myelo-/radiculopathies, respectively. Our results suggest that both Nfs in CSF represent a reliable diagnostic marker in a general MND population, fulfilling Awaji criteria. As for diagnostic pitfalls, and also for p-NfH in serum, their discriminative ability and, therefore, clinical utility appears to be limited.
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24
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Gotkine M, Caraco Y, Lerner Y, Blotnick S, Wanounou M, Slutsky SG, Chebath J, Kuperstein G, Estrin E, Ben-Hur T, Hasson A, Molakandov K, Sonnenfeld T, Stark Y, Revel A, Revel M, Izrael M. Safety and efficacy of first-in-man intrathecal injection of human astrocytes (AstroRx®) in ALS patients: phase I/IIa clinical trial results. J Transl Med 2023; 21:122. [PMID: 36788520 PMCID: PMC9927047 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-03903-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malfunction of astrocytes is implicated as one of the pathological factors of ALS. Thus, intrathecal injection of healthy astrocytes in ALS can potentially compensate for the diseased astrocytes. AstroRx® is an allogeneic cell-based product, composed of healthy and functional human astrocytes derived from embryonic stem cells. AstroRx® was shown to clear excessive glutamate, reduce oxidative stress, secrete various neuroprotective factors, and act as an immunomodulator. Intrathecal injection of AstroRx® to animal models of ALS slowed disease progression and extended survival. Here we report the result of a first-in-human clinical study evaluating intrathecal injection of AstroRx® in ALS patients. METHODS We conducted a phase I/IIa, open-label, dose-escalating clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and therapeutic effects of intrathecal injection of AstroRx® in patients with ALS. Five patients were injected intrathecally with a single dose of 100 × 106 AstroRx® cells and 5 patients with 250 × 106 cells (low and high dose, respectively). Safety and efficacy assessments were recorded for 3 months pre-treatment (run-in period) and 12 months post-treatment (follow-up period). RESULTS A single administration of AstroRx® at either low or high doses was safe and well tolerated. No adverse events (AEs) related to AstroRx® itself were reported. Transient AEs related to the Intrathecal (IT) procedure were all mild to moderate. The study demonstrated a clinically meaningful effect that was maintained over the first 3 months after treatment, as measured by the pre-post slope change in ALSFRS-R. In the 100 × 106 AstroRx® arm, the ALSFRS-R rate of deterioration was attenuated from - 0.88/month pre-treatment to - 0.30/month in the first 3 months post-treatment (p = 0.039). In the 250 × 106 AstroRx® arm, the ALSFRS-R slope decreased from - 1.43/month to - 0.78/month (p = 0.0023). The effect was even more profound in a rapid progressor subgroup of 5 patients. No statistically significant change was measured in muscle strength using hand-held dynamometry and slow vital capacity continued to deteriorate during the study. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these findings suggest that a single IT administration of AstroRx® to ALS patients at a dose of 100 × 106 or 250 × 106 cells is safe. A signal of beneficial clinical effect was observed for the first 3 months following cell injection. These results support further investigation of repeated intrathecal administrations of AstroRx®, e.g., every 3 months. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03482050.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Gotkine
- Department of Neurology, The Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yoseph Caraco
- Hadassah Clinical Research Center (HCRC), Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yossef Lerner
- Department of Neurology, The Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Simcha Blotnick
- Hadassah Clinical Research Center (HCRC), Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Maor Wanounou
- Hadassah Clinical Research Center (HCRC), Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shalom Guy Slutsky
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department, Kadimastem Ltd, Pinchas Sapir 7, Weizmann Science Park, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Judith Chebath
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department, Kadimastem Ltd, Pinchas Sapir 7, Weizmann Science Park, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Graciela Kuperstein
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department, Kadimastem Ltd, Pinchas Sapir 7, Weizmann Science Park, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Elena Estrin
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department, Kadimastem Ltd, Pinchas Sapir 7, Weizmann Science Park, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Tamir Ben-Hur
- Department of Neurology, The Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Arik Hasson
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department, Kadimastem Ltd, Pinchas Sapir 7, Weizmann Science Park, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Kfir Molakandov
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department, Kadimastem Ltd, Pinchas Sapir 7, Weizmann Science Park, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Tehila Sonnenfeld
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department, Kadimastem Ltd, Pinchas Sapir 7, Weizmann Science Park, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Yafit Stark
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department, Kadimastem Ltd, Pinchas Sapir 7, Weizmann Science Park, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Ariel Revel
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department, Kadimastem Ltd, Pinchas Sapir 7, Weizmann Science Park, Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Michel Revel
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department, Kadimastem Ltd, Pinchas Sapir 7, Weizmann Science Park, Ness-Ziona, Israel
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Michal Izrael
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Department, Kadimastem Ltd, Pinchas Sapir 7, Weizmann Science Park, Ness-Ziona, Israel.
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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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26
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Adil O, Shamsi MH. Electrochemical Impedance Immunoassay for ALS-Associated Neurofilament Protein: Matrix Effect on the Immunoplatform. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:247. [PMID: 36832013 PMCID: PMC9954657 DOI: 10.3390/bios13020247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder, which has complex diagnostic steps. Electrochemical immunoassays may make the diagnosis simpler and faster. Here, we present the detection of ALS-associated neurofilament light chain (Nf-L) protein through an electrochemical impedance immunoassay on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) screen-printed electrodes. The immunoassay was developed in two different media, i.e., buffer and human serum, to compare the effect of the media on their figures of merit and calibration models. The label-free charge transfer resistance (RCT) of the immunoplatform was used as a signal response to develop the calibration models. We found that exposure of the biorecognition layer to human serum improved the impedance response of the biorecognition element with significantly lower relative error. Moreover, the calibration model obtained in the human serum environment has higher sensitivity and a better limit of detection (0.087 ng/mL) than the buffer medium (0.39 ng/mL). The analyses of the ALS patient samples show that concentrations obtained from the buffer-based regression model was higher than the serum-based model. However, a high Pearson correlation (r = 1.00) between the media suggests that concentration in one medium may be useful to predict the concentration in the other medium. Moreover, the Nf-L concentration appears to increase with age in both male and female groups, while overall higher Nf-L was found in the male group than the female group.
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Park JH, Nordström U, Tsiakas K, Keskin I, Elpers C, Mannil M, Heller R, Nolan M, Alburaiky S, Zetterström P, Hempel M, Schara-Schmidt U, Biskup S, Steinacker P, Otto M, Weishaupt J, Hahn A, Santer R, Marquardt T, Marklund SL, Andersen PM. The motor system is exceptionally vulnerable to absence of the ubiquitously expressed superoxide dismutase-1. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad017. [PMID: 36793789 PMCID: PMC9924500 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Superoxide dismutase-1 is a ubiquitously expressed antioxidant enzyme. Mutations in SOD1 can cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, probably via a toxic gain-of-function involving protein aggregation and prion-like mechanisms. Recently, homozygosity for loss-of-function mutations in SOD1 has been reported in patients presenting with infantile-onset motor neuron disease. We explored the bodily effects of superoxide dismutase-1 enzymatic deficiency in eight children homozygous for the p.C112Wfs*11 truncating mutation. In addition to physical and imaging examinations, we collected blood, urine and skin fibroblast samples. We used a comprehensive panel of clinically established analyses to assess organ function and analysed oxidative stress markers, antioxidant compounds, and the characteristics of the mutant Superoxide dismutase-1. From around 8 months of age, all patients exhibited progressive signs of both upper and lower motor neuron dysfunction, cerebellar, brain stem, and frontal lobe atrophy and elevated plasma neurofilament concentration indicating ongoing axonal damage. The disease progression seemed to slow down over the following years. The p.C112Wfs*11 gene product is unstable, rapidly degraded and no aggregates were found in fibroblast. Most laboratory tests indicated normal organ integrity and only a few modest deviations were found. The patients displayed anaemia with shortened survival of erythrocytes containing decreased levels of reduced glutathione. A variety of other antioxidants and oxidant damage markers were within normal range. In conclusion, non-neuronal organs in humans show a remarkable tolerance to absence of Superoxide dismutase-1 enzymatic activity. The study highlights the enigmatic specific vulnerability of the motor system to both gain-of-function mutations in SOD1 and loss of the enzyme as in the here depicted infantile superoxide dismutase-1 deficiency syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien H Park
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden,Department of General Paediatrics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Ulrika Nordström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosciences, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Konstantinos Tsiakas
- Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Isil Keskin
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Pathology, Umeå University, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Christiane Elpers
- Department of General Paediatrics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Manoj Mannil
- Clinic for Radiology, University Hospital Münster, WWU University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Raoul Heller
- Starship Children’s Health, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Melinda Nolan
- Starship Children’s Health, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Salam Alburaiky
- Starship Children’s Health, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Per Zetterström
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Maja Hempel
- Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany,Current address: Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Saskia Biskup
- CeGAT GmbH and Praxis für Humangenetik Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Petra Steinacker
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jochen Weishaupt
- Division for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Hahn
- Department of Child Neurology, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - René Santer
- Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Marquardt
- Department of General Paediatrics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan L Marklund
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Clinical Chemistry, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Peter M Andersen
- Correspondence to: Peter Munch Andersen Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences Umeå University, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden E-mail:
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Barba L, Abu Rumeileh S, Bellomo G, Paolini Paoletti F, Halbgebauer S, Oeckl P, Steinacker P, Massa F, Gaetani L, Parnetti L, Otto M. Cerebrospinal fluid β-synuclein as a synaptic biomarker for preclinical Alzheimer's disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2023; 94:83-86. [PMID: 35944974 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-329124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION β-synuclein (β-syn) is a presynaptic protein, whose cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels are increased in patients with Alzheimer's diseases (AD) showing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia (dem). Here, we aimed to investigate CSF β-syn in subjects at different AD stages, including preclinical AD (pre-AD), and to compare its behaviour with another synaptic biomarker, α-synuclein (α-syn), and two biomarkers of neuro-axonal damage, namely neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) and total tau protein (t-tau). METHODS We measured β-syn, α-syn, t-tau and NfL in CSF of 75 patients with AD (pre-AD n=17, MCI-AD n=28, dem-AD n=30) and 35 controls (subjective memory complaints, SMC-Ctrl n=13, non-degenerative neurological disorders, Dis-Ctrl n=22). RESULTS CSF β-syn, α-syn, t-tau were significantly elevated in pre-AD patients compared with controls (p<0.0001, p=0.02 and p=0.0001, respectively), while NfL only increased in dem-AD (p=0.001). Pre-AD cases showed lower t-tau concentrations than MCI-AD (p=0.04) and dem-AD (p=0.01). CSF β-syn had the best diagnostic performance for the discrimination of pre-AD subjects from all controls (area under the curve, AUC=0.97) and from SMC-Ctrl subjects (AUC=0.99). DISCUSSION CSF β-syn increases in the whole AD continuum since the preclinical stage and represents a promising biomarker of synaptic damage in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Barba
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Samir Abu Rumeileh
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Giovanni Bellomo
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | | | - Patrick Oeckl
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Petra Steinacker
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Federico Massa
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Gaetani
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Lucilla Parnetti
- Section of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Halle, Halle (Saale), Germany .,Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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Barba L, Otto M, Abu-Rumeileh S. The Underestimated Relevance of Alzheimer's Disease Copathology in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 95:1401-1404. [PMID: 37807784 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230900] [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: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Concomitant Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology can be observed in approximately 10-15% of cases with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS-AD patients have a higher prevalence of amnestic cognitive disturbances, which may often precede motor symptoms. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD core biomarkers usually show no or slightly significant changes in ALS, whereas blood phosphorylated tau protein might be increased independently from AD copathology. Neurofilament proteins are consistently elevated in CSF and blood of ALS, but have been poorly investigated in ALS-AD. All these issues should be taken into account when using fluid biomarkers as inclusion criteria or secondary endpoints in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Barba
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Samir Abu-Rumeileh
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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30
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Klose V, Jesse S, Lewerenz J, Kassubek J, Dorst J, Tumani H, Ludolph AC, Roselli F. CSF oligoclonal IgG bands are not associated with ALS progression and prognosis. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1170360. [PMID: 37213901 PMCID: PMC10196068 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1170360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by progressive motoneuron degeneration through cell autonomous and non-cell autonomous mechanisms; and the involvement of the innate and adaptive immune system has been hypothesized based on human and murine model data. We have explored if B-cell activation and IgG responses, as detected by IgG Oligoclonal bands (OCB) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, were associated with ALS or with a subgroup of patients with distinct clinical features. Methods IgG OCB were determined in patients affected by ALS (n=457), Alzheimer Disease (n=516), Mild Cognitive Impairment (n=91), Tension-type Headache (n=152) and idiopathic Facial Palsy (n=94). For ALS patients, clinico-demographic and survival data were prospectively collected in the Register Schabia. Results The prevalence of IgG OCB is comparable in ALS and the four neurological cohorts. When the OCB pattern was considered (highlighting either intrathecal or systemic B-cells activation), no effect of OCB pattern on clinic-demographic parameters and overall. ALS patients with intrathecal IgG synthesis (type 2 and 3) were more likely to display infectious, inflammatory or systemic autoimmune conditions. Discussion These data suggest that OCB are not related to ALS pathophysiology but rather are a finding possibly indicative a coincidental infectious or inflammatory comorbidity that merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Klose
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)-Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sarah Jesse
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)-Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Lewerenz
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Kassubek
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)-Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Johannes Dorst
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)-Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Hayrettin Tumani
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)-Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Albert C. Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)-Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Neurozentrum Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- *Correspondence: Albert C. Ludolph,
| | - Francesco Roselli
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)-Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Neurozentrum Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Francesco Roselli,
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31
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Traub J, Otto M, Sell R, Göpfert D, Homola G, Steinacker P, Oeckl P, Morbach C, Frantz S, Pham M, Störk S, Stoll G, Frey A. Serum phosphorylated tau protein 181 and neurofilament light chain in cognitively impaired heart failure patients. Alzheimers Res Ther 2022; 14:149. [PMID: 36217177 PMCID: PMC9549648 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-01087-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic heart failure (HF) is known to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia significantly. Thus, detecting and preventing mild cognitive impairment, which is common in patients with HF, is of great importance. Serum biomarkers are increasingly used in neurological disorders for diagnostics, monitoring, and prognostication of disease course. It remains unclear if neuronal biomarkers may help detect cognitive impairment in this high-risk population. Also, the influence of chronic HF and concomitant renal dysfunction on these biomarkers is not well understood. METHODS Within the monocentric Cognition.Matters-HF study, we quantified the serum levels of phosphorylated tau protein 181 (pTau) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) of 146 extensively phenotyped chronic heart failure patients (aged 32 to 85 years; 15.1% women) using ultrasensitive bead-based single-molecule immunoassays. The clinical work-up included advanced cognitive testing and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS Serum concentrations of NfL ranged from 5.4 to 215.0 pg/ml (median 26.4 pg/ml) and of pTau from 0.51 to 9.22 pg/ml (median 1.57 pg/ml). We detected mild cognitive impairment (i.e., T-score < 40 in at least one cognitive domain) in 60% of heart failure patients. pTau (p = 0.014), but not NfL, was elevated in this group. Both NfL (ρ = - 0.21; p = 0.013) and pTau (ρ = - 0.25; p = 0.002) related to the cognitive domain visual/verbal memory, as well as white matter hyperintensity volume and cerebral and hippocampal atrophy. In multivariable analysis, both biomarkers were independently influenced by age (T = 4.6 for pTau; T = 5.9 for NfL) and glomerular filtration rate (T = - 2.4 for pTau; T = - 3.4 for NfL). Markers of chronic heart failure, left atrial volume index (T = 4.6) and NT-proBNP (T = 2.8), were further cardiological determinants of pTau and NfL, respectively. In addition, pTau was also strongly affected by serum creatine kinase levels (T = 6.5) and ferritin (T = - 3.1). CONCLUSIONS pTau and NfL serum levels are strongly influenced by age-dependent renal and cardiac dysfunction. These findings point towards the need for longitudinal examinations and consideration of frequent comorbidities when using neuronal serum biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Traub
- grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstraße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany ,grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University and University Hospital Würzburg, Am Schwarzenberg 15, Würzburg, 97078 Germany
| | - Markus Otto
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDepartment of Neurology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany ,grid.461820.90000 0004 0390 1701Department of Neurology, University Hospital Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Roxane Sell
- grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dennis Göpfert
- grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstraße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - György Homola
- grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University and University Hospital Würzburg, Am Schwarzenberg 15, Würzburg, 97078 Germany ,grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Petra Steinacker
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDepartment of Neurology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany ,grid.461820.90000 0004 0390 1701Department of Neurology, University Hospital Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Patrick Oeckl
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDepartment of Neurology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany ,grid.424247.30000 0004 0438 0426German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE e.V.), Ulm, Germany
| | - Caroline Morbach
- grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstraße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany ,grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University and University Hospital Würzburg, Am Schwarzenberg 15, Würzburg, 97078 Germany
| | - Stefan Frantz
- grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstraße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany ,grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University and University Hospital Würzburg, Am Schwarzenberg 15, Würzburg, 97078 Germany
| | - Mirko Pham
- grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University and University Hospital Würzburg, Am Schwarzenberg 15, Würzburg, 97078 Germany ,grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Störk
- grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstraße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany ,grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University and University Hospital Würzburg, Am Schwarzenberg 15, Würzburg, 97078 Germany
| | - Guido Stoll
- grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University and University Hospital Würzburg, Am Schwarzenberg 15, Würzburg, 97078 Germany ,grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Department of Neurology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anna Frey
- grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstraße 6, 97080 Würzburg, Germany ,grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University and University Hospital Würzburg, Am Schwarzenberg 15, Würzburg, 97078 Germany
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Sturmey E, Malaspina A. Blood biomarkers in ALS: challenges, applications and novel frontiers. Acta Neurol Scand 2022; 146:375-388. [PMID: 36156207 PMCID: PMC9828487 DOI: 10.1111/ane.13698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron disease among adults. With diagnosis reached relatively late into the disease process, extensive motor cell loss narrows the window for therapeutic opportunities. Clinical heterogeneity in ALS and the lack of disease-specific biomarkers have so far led to large-sized clinical trials with long follow-up needed to define clinical outcomes. In advanced ALS patients, there is presently limited scope to use imaging or invasive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection as a source of disease biomarkers. The development of more patient-friendly and accessible blood biomarker assays is hampered by analytical hurdles like the matrix effect of blood components. However, blood also provides the opportunity to identify disease-specific adaptive changes of the stoichiometry and conformation of target proteins and the endogenous immunological response to low-abundance brain peptides, such as neurofilaments (Nf). Among those biomarkers under investigation in ALS, the change in concentration before or after diagnosis of Nf has been shown to aid prognostication and to allow the a priori stratification of ALS patients into smaller sized and clinically more homogeneous cohorts, supporting more affordable clinical trials. Here, we discuss the technical hurdles affecting reproducible and sensitive biomarker measurement in blood. We also summarize the state of the art of non-CSF biomarkers in the study of prognosis, disease progression, and treatment response. We will then address the potential as disease-specific biomarkers of the newly discovered cryptic peptides which are formed down-stream of TDP-43 loss of function, the hallmark of ALS pathobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellie Sturmey
- Centre of Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Andrea Malaspina
- Centre of Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
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33
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Bornhorst JA, Figdore D, Campbell MR, Pazdernik VK, Mielke MM, Petersen RC, Algeciras-Schimnich A. Plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) reference interval determination in an Age-stratified cognitively unimpaired cohort. Clin Chim Acta 2022; 535:153-156. [PMID: 36041549 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2022.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is an emerging biomarker of neurodegenerative disease progression. As plasma NfL increases with age, characterization of NfL concentrations in an age-stratified cognitively unimpaired population was assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS EDTA-plasma samples were measured using the Simoa® NF-light™ Advantage Kit assay. One-sided reference intervals were established from 1100 cognitive normal individuals (588 male, 512 female) aged 20 to 95 years. Of those, 927 samples were obtained from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging cohort (age > 50 years), and the remainder (age < 50 years) were obtained from individuals without known neurological conditions. All samples were from individuals without known chronic kidney disease, stroke or myocardial infarction, and a body mass index < 30 kg/m2. RESULTS The 97.5th percentile limits for the following age ranges (in years) were (pg/mL): 20 s: ≤8.4, 30 s: ≤11.4, 40 s: ≤15.4, 50 s: ≤20.8, 60 s: ≤28.0, 70 s: ≤37.9, 80+: ≤51.2. Sex had no significant effect on reference intervals. Observed NfL concentrations increased at a rate of 3.1 % per year of age. CONCLUSIONS Characterization of the rate of NfL concentration increase and decade-wide reference intervals from a neurologically well-characterized patient population will aid in interpretation of NfL during the clinical evaluation of a potential neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Bornhorst
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota, USA
| | - Daniel Figdore
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota, USA
| | - Michelle R Campbell
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota, USA
| | - Vanessa K Pazdernik
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota, USA
| | - Michelle M Mielke
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable, devastating neurodegenerative disease. Still, the diagnosis is mainly based on clinical symptoms, and the treatment options are strongly limited. However, the pipeline of potential treatments currently tested in clinical trials is promising. This review will discuss developments in ALS biomarker research and applications within the last 2 years and suggest future directions and needs. RECENT FINDINGS The diagnostic and prognostic utility of neurofilaments, a general marker for axoneuronal degeneration, has been confirmed by further studies in patients with ALS, and neurofilaments are finding their way into routine diagnostic and clinical trials. Additionally, there have been advancements in developing and implementing disease-specific biomarkers, especially in patients with a genetic variant, such as SOD1 or C9orf72 . Here, biomarkers have already been used as target markers and outcome parameters for novel treatment approaches. In addition, several novel biomarkers have shown encouraging results but should be discussed in the context of their early stage of assay and clinical establishment. SUMMARY The first biomarkers have found their way into clinical routine in ALS. In light of an increasing pipeline of potential treatments, further progress in discovering and implementing novel and existing biomarkers is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Witzel
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University Hospital, Oberer Eselsberg
| | - Kristina Mayer
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University Hospital, Oberer Eselsberg
| | - Patrick Oeckl
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University Hospital, Oberer Eselsberg
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Site Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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35
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De Schaepdryver M, Masrori P, Van Damme P, Poesen K. Effect of neurofilament analysis on the diagnostic delay in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 29:70-77. [PMID: 36047371 PMCID: PMC9804063 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this study was to investigate whether neurofilament light (NfL) and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy (pNfH) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), sampled prior to referral to a neuromuscular reference center (NMRC), shorten the diagnostic delay in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. METHODS In this retrospective study, patients with ALS were included with (i) determination of neurofilaments (Nfs) before referral to the NMRC (preC-Nfs ALS, n = 58), (ii) determination of Nfs at the NMRC (C-Nfs, n = 54) or (iii) with no determination of Nfs (C-No Nfs, n = 180). Fifty-six disease controls were included. RESULTS The preC-Nfs cohort had CSF sampled 2.2 months (range: 0.6-12.0 months) before referral to the NMRC. In this cohort, the diagnostic delay was significantly shorter [median (range): 8.24 (2.37-49.7) months] than in the C-Nfs cases [median (range): 11.4 (2.93-86.5) months; p < 0.05], but not in the C-No Nfs cases. When including the disease progression rate and the presence of a genetic mutation as covariates, the difference ceased to exist (p = 0.14). pNfH and NfL levels in the preC-Nfs cohort were significantly higher than in disease controls (p < 0.0001). Both Nfs showed a similar discriminating performance. CONCLUSIONS CSF Nfs assessed before the diagnosis of ALS at a NMRC decreased the diagnostic delay in specific cases by 3 months and only when other covariates were not taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim De Schaepdryver
- Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiomarker Research, Department of NeurosciencesLeuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Pegah Masrori
- Laboratory of NeurobiologyCenter for Brain & Disease Research, VIBLeuvenBelgium,Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium,Experimental Neurology, Department of NeurosciencesLeuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Laboratory of NeurobiologyCenter for Brain & Disease Research, VIBLeuvenBelgium,Department of NeurologyUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium,Experimental Neurology, Department of NeurosciencesLeuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Koen Poesen
- Laboratory for Molecular Neurobiomarker Research, Department of NeurosciencesLeuven Brain Institute, KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium,Laboratory MedicineUniversity Hospitals LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
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Theunissen F, Anderton RS, Mastaglia FL, James I, Bedlack R, Akkari PA. Intronic NEFH variant is associated with reduced risk for sporadic ALS and later age of disease onset. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14739. [PMID: 36042248 PMCID: PMC9427846 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18942-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofilament heavy (NEFH) is one of the critical proteins required for the formation of the neuronal cytoskeleton and polymorphisms in NEFH are reported as a rare cause of sporadic ALS (sALS). In the current study, a candidate tetranucleotide (TTTA) repeat variant in NEFH was selected using an in-silico short structural variant (SSV) evaluation algorithm and investigated in two cohorts of North American sALS patients, both separately and combined (Duke cohort n = 138, Coriell cohort n = 333; combined cohort n = 471), compared to a group of healthy controls from the Coriell Institute biobank (n = 496). Stratification according to site of disease onset revealed that the 9 TTTA allele was associated with reduced disease risk, specifically confined to spinal-onset sALS patients in the Duke cohort (p = 0.001). Furthermore, carriage of the 10 TTTA allele was associated with a 2.7 year later age of disease onset in the larger combined sALS cohort (p = 0.02). These results suggest that the 9 and 10 TTTA motif length may have a protective advantage for potentially lowering the risk of sALS and delaying the age of disease onset, however, these results need to be replicated in larger multicenter and multi-ethnic cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances Theunissen
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, First floor, RR block, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Ryan S Anderton
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, First floor, RR block, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,School of Health Sciences and Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, Australia
| | - Frank L Mastaglia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, First floor, RR block, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Ian James
- Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - P Anthony Akkari
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, First floor, RR block, QEII Medical Centre, 8 Verdun St, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia. .,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia. .,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia. .,Department of Neurology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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37
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Fournier CN. Considerations for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Clinical Trial Design. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:1180-1192. [PMID: 35819713 PMCID: PMC9275386 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01271-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Thoughtful clinical trial design is critical for efficient therapeutic development, particularly in the field of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where trials often aim to detect modest treatment effects among a population with heterogeneous disease progression. Appropriate outcome measure selection is necessary for trials to provide decisive and informative results. Investigators must consider the outcome measure's reliability, responsiveness to detect change when change has actually occurred, clinical relevance, and psychometric performance. ALS clinical trials can also be performed more efficiently by utilizing statistical enrichment techniques. Innovations in ALS prediction models allow for selection of participants with less heterogeneity in disease progression rates without requiring a lead-in period, or participants can be stratified according to predicted progression. Statistical enrichment can reduce the needed sample size and improve study power, but investigators must find a balance between optimizing statistical efficiency and retaining generalizability of study findings to the broader ALS population. Additional progress is still needed for biomarker development and validation to confirm target engagement in ALS treatment trials. Selection of an appropriate biofluid biomarker depends on the treatment mechanism of interest, and biomarker studies should be incorporated into early phase trials. Inclusion of patients with ALS as advisors and advocates can strengthen clinical trial design and study retention, but more engagement efforts are needed to improve diversity and equity in ALS research studies. Another challenge for ALS therapeutic development is identifying ways to respect patient autonomy and improve access to experimental treatment, something that is strongly desired by many patients with ALS and ALS advocacy organizations. Expanded access programs that run concurrently to well-designed and adequately powered randomized controlled trials may provide an opportunity to broaden access to promising therapeutics without compromising scientific integrity or rushing regulatory approval of therapies without adequate proof of efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina N Fournier
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Goutman SA, Hardiman O, Al-Chalabi A, Chió A, Savelieff MG, Kiernan MC, Feldman EL. Recent advances in the diagnosis and prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Lancet Neurol 2022; 21:480-493. [PMID: 35334233 PMCID: PMC9513753 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(21)00465-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can be challenging due to its heterogeneity in clinical presentation and overlap with other neurological disorders. Diagnosis early in the disease course can improve outcomes as timely interventions can slow disease progression. An evolving awareness of disease genotypes and phenotypes and new diagnostic criteria, such as the recent Gold Coast criteria, could expedite diagnosis. Improved prognosis, such as that achieved with the survival model from the European Network for the Cure of ALS, could inform the patient and their family about disease course and improve end-of-life planning. Novel staging and scoring systems can help monitor disease progression and might potentially serve as clinical trial outcomes. Lastly, new tools, such as fluid biomarkers, imaging modalities, and neuromuscular electrophysiological measurements, might increase diagnostic and prognostic accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, and Department of Neurology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Adriano Chió
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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39
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Oeckl P, Anderl-Straub S, Von Arnim CAF, Baldeiras I, Diehl-Schmid J, Grimmer T, Halbgebauer S, Kort AM, Lima M, Marques TM, Ortner M, Santana I, Steinacker P, Verbeek MM, Volk AE, Ludolph AC, Otto M. Serum GFAP differentiates Alzheimer's disease from frontotemporal dementia and predicts MCI-to-dementia conversion. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2022; 93:jnnp-2021-328547. [PMID: 35477892 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2021-328547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Reactive astrogliosis is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) but differences between the diseases and time course are unclear. Here, we used serum levels of the astroglial marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) to investigate differences in patients with AD dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI)-AD and behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD). METHODS This multicentre study included serum samples from patients diagnosed with AD dementia (n=230), MCI-AD (n=111), bvFTD (n=140) and controls (n=129). A subgroup of patients with MCI-AD (n=32) was longitudinally followed-up for 3.9±2.6 years after sample collection. Serum levels of GFAP, neurofilament light chain (NfL) and pTau181 were measured by Simoa (Quanterix) and Ella (ProteinSimple). RESULTS In total, samples from 610 individuals from four clinical centres were investigated in this study. Serum GFAP levels in AD dementia were increased (median 375 pg/mL, IQR 276-505 pg/mL) compared with controls (167 pg/mL, IQR 108-234 pg/mL) and bvFTD (190 pg/mL, IQR 134-298 pg/mL, p<0.001). GFAP was already increased in the early disease phase (MCI-AD, 300 pg/mL, IQR 232-433 pg/mL, p<0.001) and was higher in patients with MCI-AD who developed dementia during follow-up (360 pg/mL, IQR 253-414 pg/mL vs 215 pg/mL, IQR 111-266 pg/mL, p<0.01, area under the curve (AUC)=0.77). Diagnostic performance of serum GFAP for AD (AUC=0.84, sensitivity 98%, specificity 60%, likelihood ratio 2.5) was comparable to serum pTau181 (AUC=0.89, sensitivity 80%, specificity 87%, likelihood ratio 6.0) but superior to serum NfL (AUC=0.71, sensitivity 92%, specificity 49%, likelihood ratio 1.8). CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate a different type of reactive astrogliosis in AD and bvFTD and support serum GFAP as biomarker for differential diagnosis and prediction of MCI-to-dementia conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Oeckl
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE e.V.), Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Christine A F Von Arnim
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Division of Geriatrics, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Inês Baldeiras
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology-CIBB, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centro Hospitalar de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Janine Diehl-Schmid
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Timo Grimmer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Anna M Kort
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Raboud Alzheimer Center, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marisa Lima
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology-CIBB, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Tainá M Marques
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Raboud Alzheimer Center, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marion Ortner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, Germany
| | - Isabel Santana
- Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology-CIBB, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centro Hospitalar de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Marcel M Verbeek
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Raboud Alzheimer Center, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander E Volk
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Albert C Ludolph
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE e.V.), Ulm, Germany
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany
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40
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Rook ME, Southwell AL. Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapy: From Design to the Huntington Disease Clinic. BioDrugs 2022; 36:105-119. [PMID: 35254632 PMCID: PMC8899000 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-022-00519-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by an inherited mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, which encodes mutant HTT protein. Though HD remains incurable, various preclinical studies have reported a favorable response to HTT suppression, emphasizing HTT lowering strategies as prospective disease-modifying treatments. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) lower HTT by targeting transcripts and are well suited for treating neurodegenerative disorders as they distribute broadly throughout the central nervous system (CNS) and are freely taken up by neurons, glia, and ependymal cells. With the FDA approval of an ASO therapy for another disease of the CNS, spinal muscular atrophy, ASOs have become a particularly attractive therapeutic option for HD. However, two types of ASOs were recently assessed in human clinical trials for the treatment of HD, and both were halted early. In this review, we will explore the differences in chemistry, targeting, and specificity of these HTT ASOs as well as preliminary clinical findings and potential reasons for and implications of these halted trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan E Rook
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32827, USA.
| | - Amber L Southwell
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 32827, USA
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41
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Reyes-Leiva D, Dols-Icardo O, Sirisi S, Cortés-Vicente E, Turon-Sans J, de Luna N, Blesa R, Belbin O, Montal V, Alcolea D, Fortea J, Lleó A, Rojas-García R, Illán-Gala I. Pathophysiological Underpinnings of Extra-Motor Neurodegeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: New Insights From Biomarker Studies. Front Neurol 2022; 12:750543. [PMID: 35115992 PMCID: PMC8804092 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.750543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) lie at opposing ends of a clinical, genetic, and neuropathological continuum. In the last decade, it has become clear that cognitive and behavioral changes in patients with ALS are more frequent than previously recognized. Significantly, these non-motor features can impact the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of ALS. Partially overlapping neuropathological staging systems have been proposed to describe the distribution of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) aggregates outside the corticospinal tract. However, the relationship between TDP-43 inclusions and neurodegeneration is not absolute and other pathophysiological processes, such as neuroinflammation (with a prominent role of microglia), cortical hyperexcitability, and synaptic dysfunction also play a central role in ALS pathophysiology. In the last decade, imaging and biofluid biomarker studies have revealed important insights into the pathophysiological underpinnings of extra-motor neurodegeneration in the ALS-FTLD continuum. In this review, we first summarize the clinical and pathophysiological correlates of extra-motor neurodegeneration in ALS. Next, we discuss the diagnostic and prognostic value of biomarkers in ALS and their potential to characterize extra-motor neurodegeneration. Finally, we debate about how biomarkers could improve the diagnosis and classification of ALS. Emerging imaging biomarkers of extra-motor neurodegeneration that enable the monitoring of disease progression are particularly promising. In addition, a growing arsenal of biofluid biomarkers linked to neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation are improving the diagnostic accuracy and identification of patients with a faster progression rate. The development and validation of biomarkers that detect the pathological aggregates of TDP-43 in vivo are notably expected to further elucidate the pathophysiological underpinnings of extra-motor neurodegeneration in ALS. Novel biomarkers tracking the different aspects of ALS pathophysiology are paving the way to precision medicine approaches in the ALS-FTLD continuum. These are essential steps to improve the diagnosis and staging of ALS and the design of clinical trials testing novel disease-modifying treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Reyes-Leiva
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, CIBERER, Valencia, Spain
| | - Oriol Dols-Icardo
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Sirisi
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Cortés-Vicente
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, CIBERER, Valencia, Spain
| | - Janina Turon-Sans
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, CIBERER, Valencia, Spain
| | - Noemi de Luna
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, CIBERER, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rafael Blesa
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
| | - Olivia Belbin
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
| | - Victor Montal
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Alcolea
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Fortea
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Lleó
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricard Rojas-García
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, CIBERER, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ignacio Illán-Gala
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, CIBERNED, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Ignacio Illán-Gala
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