Contributions
Abstract: EP1567
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Biomarkers
Recent studies have focused on neurofilament light chain (NfL) as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS). NfL levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in serum show a strong correlation, enabling the use of blood samples, which can be collected promptly in a non-invasive manner. In MS, CSF and serum NfL have been associated with neuronal damage, disability and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics, but replication in larger, independent cohorts is needed.
Our aim was to investigate the association of serum NfL, a biomarker of axonal damage, with demographic, clinical and MTR parameters.
Our study population consisted of 116 MS patients, for whom serum samples at the time of diagnostic lumbar puncture (LP) as well as clinical data were available. For a subset of 58 patients, volumetric and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) MRI parameters, reflecting neurodegeneration and demyelination, respectively, were obtained throughout the disease process (median years after diagnostic LP (range): 4 (0-10)). NfL levels in serum were measured using a previously described electrochemiluminescence (ECL) protocol.
Serum NfL levels in 116 MS patients did not correlate with gender, age or clinical parameters such as age at onset, disease course, and Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) (p >0.05). Serum NfL levels were negatively correlated with median (β0= -0.35, p=0.02) and peak height (β0= -0.40, p=0.01) MTR in normal appearing gray matter (NAGM), and with white matter volume (β0= -0.40, p=0.006). There was also a positive correlation between serum NfL levels and lesion volume (β0= 0.39, p=0.02).
The observed associations between serum NfL levels and MRI measures may support feasibility and usefulness of serum NfL in MS clinical management. Longitudinal studies will be required to understand whether they could be useful to measure disease severity and progression.
Disclosure: EO is an ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Fellow and BD is a Clinical Investigator of the Research Foundation Flanders. This project is funded by the Research Council KU Leuven (C24/16/045, to AG and BD), the Research Foundation Flanders (G.0734.15, to AG and BD) and the MS Liga Vlaanderen (to AG, BD and KP).AG has received research support from Novartis and Roche.
BD has received consulting fees and/or funding from Biogen Idec, Merck-Serono, Sanofi-Aventis, Teva, Novartis and Roche.
Other authors report no conflict of interest.
Abstract: EP1567
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Biomarkers
Recent studies have focused on neurofilament light chain (NfL) as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS). NfL levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in serum show a strong correlation, enabling the use of blood samples, which can be collected promptly in a non-invasive manner. In MS, CSF and serum NfL have been associated with neuronal damage, disability and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics, but replication in larger, independent cohorts is needed.
Our aim was to investigate the association of serum NfL, a biomarker of axonal damage, with demographic, clinical and MTR parameters.
Our study population consisted of 116 MS patients, for whom serum samples at the time of diagnostic lumbar puncture (LP) as well as clinical data were available. For a subset of 58 patients, volumetric and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) MRI parameters, reflecting neurodegeneration and demyelination, respectively, were obtained throughout the disease process (median years after diagnostic LP (range): 4 (0-10)). NfL levels in serum were measured using a previously described electrochemiluminescence (ECL) protocol.
Serum NfL levels in 116 MS patients did not correlate with gender, age or clinical parameters such as age at onset, disease course, and Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) (p >0.05). Serum NfL levels were negatively correlated with median (β0= -0.35, p=0.02) and peak height (β0= -0.40, p=0.01) MTR in normal appearing gray matter (NAGM), and with white matter volume (β0= -0.40, p=0.006). There was also a positive correlation between serum NfL levels and lesion volume (β0= 0.39, p=0.02).
The observed associations between serum NfL levels and MRI measures may support feasibility and usefulness of serum NfL in MS clinical management. Longitudinal studies will be required to understand whether they could be useful to measure disease severity and progression.
Disclosure: EO is an ECTRIMS Postdoctoral Fellow and BD is a Clinical Investigator of the Research Foundation Flanders. This project is funded by the Research Council KU Leuven (C24/16/045, to AG and BD), the Research Foundation Flanders (G.0734.15, to AG and BD) and the MS Liga Vlaanderen (to AG, BD and KP).AG has received research support from Novartis and Roche.
BD has received consulting fees and/or funding from Biogen Idec, Merck-Serono, Sanofi-Aventis, Teva, Novartis and Roche.
Other authors report no conflict of interest.