Does cognitive dysfunction correlate with neurofilament light polypeptide levels in the CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis?
Title | Does cognitive dysfunction correlate with neurofilament light polypeptide levels in the CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis? |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2019 |
Authors | Kalatha, T., Arnaoutoglou M., Koukoulidis T., Hatzifilippou E., Bouras E., Baloyannis S., & Koutsouraki E. |
Journal | J Int Med Res |
Volume | 47 |
Issue | 5 |
Pagination | 2187-2198 |
Date Published | 2019 May |
ISSN | 1473-2300 |
Keywords | Adult, Biomarkers, Case-Control Studies, Cognitive Dysfunction, Female, Humans, Male, Multiple Sclerosis, Neurofilament Proteins, Prognosis |
Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether neurofilament light polypeptide (NfL) level in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), currently a prognostic biomarker of neurodegeneration in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), may be a potential biomarker of cognitive dysfunction in MS.METHODS: This observational case-control study included patients with MS. CSF levels of NfL were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cognitive function was measured with the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) battery and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT3), standardized to the Greek population.RESULTS: Of 39 patients enrolled (aged 42.7 ± 13.6 years), 36% were classified as cognitively impaired according to BICAMS z-scores (-0.34 ± 1.13). Relapsing MS was significantly better than progressive forms regarding BICAMS z-score (mean difference [MD] 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54, 2.24), Symbol Digit Modality Test score (MD 1.73; 95% CI 0.46, 3.0) and Greek Verbal Learning Test (MD 1.77; 95% CI 0.82, 2.72). An inversely proportional association between CSF NfL levels and BICAMS z-scores was found in progressive forms of MS (r = -0.944).CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary evidence for an association between CSF NfL levels and cognition in progressive forms of MS, which requires validation in larger samples. |
DOI | 10.1177/0300060519840550 |
Alternate Journal | J Int Med Res |
PubMed ID | 30982375 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC6567748 |