Serum S-100B protein as a molecular marker in severe traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
There is growing evidence that S-100B protein may be used as a novel biochemical marker of brain cell damage, measured by a simple blood test. In this paper, we summarize the current knowledge about S-100B serum measurements in severe head injury and address actual controversies.


METHODS
The material of the present analysis consists of a MEDLINE literature search for S-100 and severe head injury from 1966 to 2003. Studies of S-100B in severe head injury were reviewed for their information about the potential clinical value of this marker.


RESULTS
A total of 18 clinical studies were identified and reviewed. Peak values of serum S-100B were demonstrated to have the highest correlation to any endpoint parameter. Admission values also have a significant correlation to injury severity and outcome but show a highly time dependent temporal course. There is extracranial release of S-100B in multitrauma patients in the first 48 hours, but the impact is limited as many studies have found a clear relationship between S-100B and injury severity, imaging findings and outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
S-100B belongs to a new generation of molecular serum markers of brain damage. These markers will have potential as a surrogate outcome marker or monitoring parameters for both clinical and experimental settings.
Raabe
Andreas
A
Department of Neurosurgery, Neurocenter, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. A.Raabe@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Kopetsch
Olaf
O
Woszczyk
Alina
A
Lang
Josef
J
Gerlach
Rüdiger
R
Zimmermann
Michael
M
Seifert
Volker
V
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000097:blood*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins