Elevated neurofilament levels in neurological diseases

Brain Res. 2003 Oct 10;987(1):25-31. doi: 10.1016/s0006-8993(03)03219-0.

Abstract

Neurofilaments, a major cytoskeletal constituent of neuronal cells, can be released into the cerebrospinal fluid during several neurodegenerative diseases. By means of a new sensitive ELISA capable of measuring 60 ng/l of neurofilament light, significant elevations were observed for different neurological disorders. Cerebral infarction presented levels of 19800+/-9100 ng/l, amyothropic lateral sclerosis 3600+/-1200 ng/l, 'relapsing-remitting' MS 2500+/-1500 ng/l, extrapyramidal symptoms 1100+/-300 ng/l, late onset AD 300+/-100 ng/l and vascular dementia 1400+/-800 ng/l. In patients with no signs of neurological diseases the upper normal level and cut-off values was determined to be below 100 ng/l. NF-L determinations will be a valuable complement in identifying neuronal degradation and can be used clinically for diagnostic and monitoring purposes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Cerebral Infarction / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Dementia, Vascular / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Humans
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Neurofilament Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Neurofilament Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Neurofilament Proteins