Multiple sclerosis: neurofilament light chain antibodies are correlated to cerebral atrophy

M.J. Eikelenboom, A. Petzold, R.H.C. Lazeron, E. Silber, M. Sharief, E.J. Thompson, F. Barkhof, G. Giovannoni, C.H. Polman, B.M.J. Uitdehaag

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

123 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate markers of axonal damage in CSF and serum of patients with different subtypes of MS in relation to measures of disease progression on MRI. Methods: In 51 patients with MS (21 relapsing-remitting, 20 secondary progressive, 10 primary progressive), levels of heavy and light neurofilaments (NfH and NfL) and antibodies to neurofilaments (anti-NfL and -NfH) as well as the total immunoglobulin G (IgG) were analyzed. MRI analysis included T2 hyperintense, T1 hypointense, and gadolinium enhancing lesions and markers of cerebral atrophy (ventricular and parenchymal fractions). Results: For the total group, correlations were found between the anti-NfL index and the parenchymal fraction (PF) (r = -0.51, p <0.001), T2 lesion load (r = 0.41, p <0.05), ventricular fraction (r = 0.37, p <0.05), and T1 lesion load (r = 0.37, p <0.05). For the anti-NfH index, a correlation was found with the PF (r = -0.39, p <0.05). No correlations were found between the IgG index and MRI measures. Conclusions: Intrathecal production of anti-NfL antibodies may serve as a marker of tissue damage, particularly axonal loss, in MS.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)219-223
Number of pages5
JournalNeurology
Volume60
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 28 Jan 2003
Externally publishedYes

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