Axonal degeneration and inflammation in acute optic neuritis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether plasma biomarkers for axonal injury and inflammation are related to loss and recovery of visual function in acute optic neuritis (ON).


METHODS
Eighteen patients with ON and 14 controls were investigated in a longitudinal, prospective study. Plasma phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (NfHSMI35; a surrogate marker of axonal injury), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), and citrulline (surrogate markers of inflammation) were measured.


RESULTS
Patients with ON had higher median plasma NfHSMI35 values than controls (0.17 versus 0.005 ng/ml; p < 0.05) and higher NOx values (49 versus 35.5 microM; p < 0.001). Plasma NfHSMI35 values correlated inversely with visual acuity at presentation (R = -0.67; p = 0.01). NfHSMI35 was higher in patients with poor recovery of visual acuity than in those with good recovery (0.25 ng/ml versus 0.09 ng/ml; p < 0.05). Three of four patients with high NfHSMI35 and high NOx values experienced a poor recovery as opposed to only one of five with high NOx but normal NfH(SMI35) values.


CONCLUSIONS
NfHSMI35, a surrogate marker for axonal damage, is a prognostic indicator and should be considered in the design of neuroprotective treatment strategies.
Petzold
A
A
Department of Neuroinflammation, Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, UK. a.petzold@ion.ucl.ac.uk
Rejdak
K
K
Plant
G T
GT
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002956:Citrulline / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008297:Male; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000097:blood*; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity
D015415:Biomarkers; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; C051774:neurofilament protein H; D002956:Citrulline