title: Serum neurone specific enolase (NSE) levels as an indicator of neuronal damage in patients with cerebral infarction.
abstract: A radioimmunoassay has been developed and used to measure serum neurone specific enolase (NSE) concentrations in 24 patients, following cerebral infarction. A significant correlation between cerebral infarct volume and maximum serum NSE concentration was observed (P = 0.047). Serum NSE was also assayed at times 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post ictus. At 72 h a significant correlation existed between serum NSE levels and infarct volume (P = 0.012), and levels appeared to be approaching statistical significance at 48 h (P = 0.067). No correlation existed at 24 and 96 h. In addition serum concentrations of NSE were compared to clinical outcome as determined by the Glasgow Outcome Score. Using the Mann-Whitney U test, there was no significant difference in maximum NSE level between patients graded 1-3 on the Glasgow Outcome Score and those graded 4 and 5. However, further studies are required on a larger population to more completely assess this. NSE may prove to be a useful marker of neuronal damage in the study of stroke, with particular application in the assessment of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Queen's University of Belfast.
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winder
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: O'Kane
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McKinstry
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Buchanan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000097:blood*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase