Acta neurologica Scandinavica
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Dec 2013
Neurofilament light and heavy subunits compared as therapeutic biomarkers in multiple sclerosis.
Neurofilaments are promising biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS) and increased levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) indicate axonal damage or degeneration. In a previous study, neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in CSF of relapsing remitting (RR) patients with MS were normalized by natalizumab treatment. ⋯ We confirm previous findings, indicating reduced axonal damage under natalizumab treatment by measuring NfH(SMI) (35) , using an assay with independent methodology. In comparison with NfH(SMI) (35) , NfL changes were more pronounced and the treatment effect also included patients in remission. Our results suggest that NfL is superior over NfH(SMI) (35) as therapeutic biomarker and is a promising candidate to measure neuroaxonal damage in MS treatment trials.
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The identification of patients at highest risk for adverse outcome who are presenting with acute ischemic stroke to the emergency department remains a challenge. This study firstly investigates the long-term prognostic value of the stress marker copeptin in Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke. ⋯ Copeptin levels are a novel and complementary biomarker to predict functional outcome and mortality 1 year after acute ischemic stroke.
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Nov 2013
Brief Pain Inventory score identifying and discriminating neuropathic and nociceptive pain.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) as well as tests of its reliability, validity, and discriminative utility for estimating the status of chronic pain in neuropathic and nociceptive pain patients. ⋯ The results suggest that Turkish version of BPI is a reliable and valid evaluation measure of neuropathic and nociceptive pain patients. This is the first study reporting the comparison and validation of psychometric properties of BPI in neuropathic and nociceptive pain group. Our data suggest that BPI may able to discriminate the origin of chronic pain.
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Studies suggest that N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) can be a biomarker of cardioembolic stroke. However, the best time to measure it after stroke is unknown. We studied the time course of NT-proBNP in patients with ischemic stroke. ⋯ NT-proBNP levels were highest in the first 2 days after ischemic stroke and declined significantly thereafter. However, the area under the curve for the three time points was similar. The first 72 hours after ischemic stroke have a similar diagnostic accuracy to diagnose cardioembolic stroke.
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Oct 2013
Predicting health-related quality of life 2 years after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury.
To describe health-related quality of life (HRQL) 2 years after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to assess predictors of HRQL. ⋯ Future interventions should focus on aspects related to HRQL that are more easily modified, such as physical functioning, home and social integration, productivity, and mental and emotional status.