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Kodal LS, Witt AM, Pedersen BS, Aagaard MM, Dysgaard T. Prognostic value of neurofilament light in blood in patients with polyneuropathy: A systematic review. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2024; 29:17-27. [PMID: 38066727 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Neurofilament light protein (NfL) is a part of the neuronal skeleton, primarily expressed in axons, and is released when nerves are damaged. NfL has been found to be a potential diagnostic biomarker in different types of polyneuropathies. However, whether NfL levels can be used as a predictor for the risk of disease progression is currently less understood. We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science Searches and included longitudinal studies with a baseline and follow-up examination of adult patients with polyneuropathy and NfL measured in blood. Twenty studies investigating NfL as a predictor of disease progression were identified, examining eight polyneuropathy subtypes. The results from studies in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) patients were divergent, with two out of five studies finding a significant association between NfL levels and clinical outcomes. Meta-analysis of the three Guillian-Barré Syndrome (GBS) studies found higher odds for the inability to run after 1 year in patients with high levels of NfL (odds ratio 2.18, 95% confidence interval 1.04-4.56). Results from studies examining other subacute or chronic polyneuropathies like Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) varied in study design and results. Our findings suggest NfL can be used as a predictor of disease progression, particularly in polyneuropathies such as CIDP and GBS. However, NfL may not serve as a reliable and cost-effective biomarker for slowly progressive polyneuropathies like CMT. Future standardized studies considering NfL as a prognostic blood biomarker in patients with different types of polyneuropathies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Sloth Kodal
- Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Møller Witt
- Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Britt Staevnsbo Pedersen
- Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Müller Aagaard
- Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tina Dysgaard
- Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Oeztuerk M, Henes A, Schroeter CB, Nelke C, Quint P, Theissen L, Meuth SG, Ruck T. Current Biomarker Strategies in Autoimmune Neuromuscular Diseases. Cells 2023; 12:2456. [PMID: 37887300 PMCID: PMC10605022 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory neuromuscular disorders encompass a diverse group of immune-mediated diseases with varying clinical manifestations and treatment responses. The identification of specific biomarkers has the potential to provide valuable insights into disease pathogenesis, aid in accurate diagnosis, predict disease course, and monitor treatment efficacy. However, the rarity and heterogeneity of these disorders pose significant challenges in the identification and implementation of reliable biomarkers. Here, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of biomarkers currently established in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), myasthenia gravis (MG), and idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM). It highlights the existing biomarkers in these disorders, including diagnostic, prognostic, predictive and monitoring biomarkers, while emphasizing the unmet need for additional specific biomarkers. The limitations and challenges associated with the current biomarkers are discussed, and the potential implications for disease management and personalized treatment strategies are explored. Collectively, biomarkers have the potential to improve the management of inflammatory neuromuscular disorders. However, novel strategies and further research are needed to establish clinically meaningful biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tobias Ruck
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (M.O.); (A.H.); (P.Q.)
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3
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Maalmi H, Strom A, Petrera A, Hauck SM, Strassburger K, Kuss O, Zaharia OP, Bönhof GJ, Rathmann W, Trenkamp S, Burkart V, Szendroedi J, Ziegler D, Roden M, Herder C. Serum neurofilament light chain: a novel biomarker for early diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Diabetologia 2023; 66:579-589. [PMID: 36472640 PMCID: PMC9892145 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-022-05846-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS No established blood-based biomarker exists to monitor diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) and evaluate treatment response. The neurofilament light chain (NFL), a blood biomarker of neuroaxonal damage in several neurodegenerative diseases, represents a potential biomarker for DSPN. We hypothesised that higher serum NFL levels are associated with prevalent DSPN and nerve dysfunction in individuals recently diagnosed with diabetes. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 423 adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and known diabetes duration of less than 1 year from the prospective observational German Diabetes Study cohort. NFL was measured in serum samples of fasting participants in a multiplex approach using proximity extension assay technology. DSPN was assessed by neurological examination, nerve conduction studies and quantitative sensory testing. Associations of serum NFL with DSPN (defined according to the Toronto Consensus criteria) were estimated using Poisson regression, while multivariable linear and quantile regression models were used to assess associations with nerve function measures. In exploratory analyses, other biomarkers in the multiplex panel were also analysed similarly to NFL. RESULTS DSPN was found in 16% of the study sample. Serum NFL levels increased with age. After adjustment for age, sex, waist circumference, height, HbA1c, known diabetes duration, diabetes type, cholesterol, eGFR, hypertension, CVD, use of lipid-lowering drugs and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, higher serum NFL levels were associated with DSPN (RR [95% CI] per 1-normalised protein expression increase, 1.92 [1.50, 2.45], p<0.0001), slower motor (all p<0.0001) and sensory (all p≤0.03) nerve conduction velocities, lower sural sensory nerve action potential (p=0.0004) and higher thermal detection threshold to warm stimuli (p=0.023 and p=0.004 for hand and foot, respectively). There was no evidence for associations between other neurological biomarkers and DSPN or nerve function measures. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION Our findings in individuals recently diagnosed with diabetes provide new evidence associating higher serum NFL levels with DSPN and peripheral nerve dysfunction. The present study advocates NFL as a potential biomarker for DSPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifa Maalmi
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center (Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum/DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Strom
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center (Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum/DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Agnese Petrera
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Metabolomics and Proteomics Core, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie M Hauck
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Metabolomics and Proteomics Core, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Strassburger
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Biometrics and Epidemiology, German Diabetes Center (Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum/DDZ), Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Oliver Kuss
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Biometrics and Epidemiology, German Diabetes Center (Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum/DDZ), Düsseldorf, Germany
- Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Oana-Patricia Zaharia
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center (Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum/DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gidon J Bönhof
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center (Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum/DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Rathmann
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Biometrics and Epidemiology, German Diabetes Center (Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum/DDZ), Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sandra Trenkamp
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center (Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum/DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Volker Burkart
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center (Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum/DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Julia Szendroedi
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center (Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum/DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism and Clinical Chemistry, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute for Diabetes and Cancer (IDC) & Joint Heidelberg-IDC Translational Diabetes Program, Helmholtz Center Munich, München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Dan Ziegler
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center (Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum/DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Roden
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center (Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum/DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christian Herder
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center (Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum/DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany.
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Kapoor M, Carr A, Foiani M, Heslegrave A, Zetterberg H, Malaspina A, Compton L, Hutton E, Rossor A, Reilly MM, Lunn MP. Association of plasma neurofilament light chain with disease activity in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. Eur J Neurol 2022; 29:3347-3357. [PMID: 35837802 PMCID: PMC9796374 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This study was undertaken to explore associations between plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) concentration (pg/ml) and disease activity in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and examine the usefulness of pNfL concentrations in determining disease remission. METHODS We examined pNfL concentrations in treatment-naïve CIDP patients (n = 10) before and after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) induction treatment, in pNfL concentrations in patients on maintenance IVIg treatment who had stable (n = 15) versus unstable disease (n = 9), and in clinically stable IVIg-treated patients (n = 10) in whom we suspended IVIg to determine disease activity and ongoing need for maintenance IVIg. pNfL concentrations in an age-matched healthy control group were measured for comparison. RESULTS Among treatment-naïve patients, pNfL concentration was higher in patients before IVIg treatment than healthy controls and subsequently reduced to be comparable to control group values after IVIg induction. Among CIDP patients on IVIg treatment, pNfL concentration was significantly higher in unstable patients than stable patients. A pNFL concentration > 16.6 pg/ml distinguished unstable treated CIDP from stable treated CIDP (sensitivity = 86.7%, specificity = 66.7%, area under receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.73). Among the treatment withdrawal group, there was a statistically significant correlation between pNfL concentration at time of IVIg withdrawal and the likelihood of relapse (r = 0.72, p < 0.05), suggesting an association of higher pNfL concentration with active disease. CONCLUSIONS pNfL concentrations may be a sensitive, clinically useful biomarker in assessing subclinical disease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahima Kapoor
- Department of Neuromuscular DiseasesUniversity College London Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- Department of NeurosciencesCentral Clinical School, Monash University, Alfred CentreMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Aisling Carr
- Department of Neuromuscular DiseasesUniversity College London Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- Centre for Neuromuscular diseasesNational Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryLondonUK
| | - Martha Foiani
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUniversity College London Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College LondonLondonUK
| | - Amanda Heslegrave
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUniversity College London Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College LondonLondonUK
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUniversity College London Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College LondonLondonUK
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratorySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden
- Department of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of GothenburgMölndalSweden
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesHong KongChina
| | - Andrea Malaspina
- Department of Neuromuscular DiseasesUniversity College London Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- University College London Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- Centre for Neuroscience and TraumaBlizard Institute, Barts and London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
- ALS Biomarkers StudyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Laura Compton
- Centre for Neuromuscular diseasesNational Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryLondonUK
| | - Elspeth Hutton
- Department of NeurosciencesCentral Clinical School, Monash University, Alfred CentreMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Alexander Rossor
- Department of Neuromuscular DiseasesUniversity College London Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- Centre for Neuromuscular diseasesNational Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryLondonUK
| | - Mary M. Reilly
- Department of Neuromuscular DiseasesUniversity College London Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- Centre for Neuromuscular diseasesNational Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryLondonUK
| | - Michael P. Lunn
- Department of Neuromuscular DiseasesUniversity College London Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- Centre for Neuromuscular diseasesNational Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryLondonUK
- Neuroimmunology and CSF LaboratoryUniversity College London Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
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5
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Kmezic I, Samuelsson K, Finn A, Upate Z, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Press R. Neurofilament light chain and total tau in the differential diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of acute and chronic inflammatory polyneuropathies. Eur J Neurol 2022; 29:2810-2822. [PMID: 35638376 PMCID: PMC9542418 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background and Purpose To investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of axonal injury biomarkers in patients with inflammatory polyneuropathies. Methods Neurofilament light chain (NfL) and total tau (T‐tau) were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma in 41 patients with Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), 32 patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), 10 with paraproteinemia‐related demyelinating polyneuropathy (PDN), and 8 with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), in comparison with 39 disease‐free controls and 59 other controls. Outcome was measured with the GBS‐disability score (GBS‐ds) or Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability score. Results Neurofilament light chain levels in CSF and plasma were higher in GBS, CIDP, and PDN vs. disease‐free controls. Patients with MMN had higher NfL levels in plasma vs. disease‐free controls, but lower levels in CSF and plasma vs. patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). T‐tau levels in plasma were higher in GBS, CIDP, PDN, and MMN vs. all control groups. Neurofilament light chain levels in CSF and plasma in patients with GBS correlated with GBS‐ds, as higher levels were associated with inability to run after 6 and 12 months. NfL levels in CSF and plasma in CIDP did not correlate significantly with outcome. Conclusions Acute and chronic inflammatory neuropathies are associated with an increase in levels of NfL in CSF and plasma, but NfL is validated as a prognostic biomarker only in GBS. NfL could be used in differentiating patients with MMN from ALS. T‐tau in plasma is a novel biomarker that could be used in a diagnostic assessment of patients with acute and chronic inflammatory polyneuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Kmezic
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - K Samuelsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A Finn
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Z Upate
- Department of Neurophysiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - K Blennow
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden.,Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - H Zetterberg
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden.,Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK.,Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
| | - R Press
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Grüter T, Motte J, Bulut Y, Kordes A, Athanasopoulos D, Fels M, Schneider-Gold C, Gold R, Fisse AL, Pitarokoili K. Axonal damage determines clinical disability in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP): A prospective cohort study of different CIDP subtypes and disease stages. Eur J Neurol 2021; 29:583-592. [PMID: 34687104 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Monitoring of patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is challenging in daily medical practice because the interrelationship between clinical disability, CIDP subtype, and neuronal degeneration is still elusive. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the role of different electrophysiological variables in CIDP monitoring. METHODS Comprehensive bilateral nerve conduction studies (NCS) and structured clinical examinations were performed in 95 patients with typical CIDP and CIDP variants (age at inclusion 58.6 ± 11.6 years; median [range] inflammatory neuropathy cause and treatment overall disability score (INCAT-ODSS) 3 [0-9]), at time of first diagnosis in 25 of these patients (based on data from the prospective Immune-mediated Neuropathies Biobank registry). After 12 months, 33 patients underwent follow-up examination. Typical CIDP patients and patients with CIDP variants were characterized electrophysiologically and each individual NCS variable and the overall sum score for axonal damage and demyelination were then correlated to clinical disability scores (INCAT-ODSS, modified Medical Research Council (MRS) sum score, and INCAT sensory score). RESULTS As opposed to demyelination markers, the NCS axonal damage variable correlated strongly with disability at both first diagnosis and advanced disease stages in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Distal compound muscle action potential amplitudes of the upper limbs were found to have the strongest correlation with overall clinical function. Typical and atypical CIDP variants had distinct electrophysiological characteristics but, in typical CIDP, axonal degeneration markers were more strongly associated with clinical disability. CONCLUSIONS Total disability is largely determined by the degree of axonal damage, especially in typical CIDP. Although most patients have symptoms predominantly in the legs, NCS of the upper limbs are essential for the monitoring of patients with CIDP and CIDP variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Grüter
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Immunmediated Neuropathies Biobank (INHIBIT), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jeremias Motte
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Immunmediated Neuropathies Biobank (INHIBIT), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Yesim Bulut
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Immunmediated Neuropathies Biobank (INHIBIT), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Anna Kordes
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Immunmediated Neuropathies Biobank (INHIBIT), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Diamantis Athanasopoulos
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Immunmediated Neuropathies Biobank (INHIBIT), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Miriam Fels
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Immunmediated Neuropathies Biobank (INHIBIT), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Ralf Gold
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Immunmediated Neuropathies Biobank (INHIBIT), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Anna Lena Fisse
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Immunmediated Neuropathies Biobank (INHIBIT), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Kalliopi Pitarokoili
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Immunmediated Neuropathies Biobank (INHIBIT), Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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7
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Wieske L, Smyth D, Lunn MP, Eftimov F, Teunissen CE. Fluid Biomarkers for Monitoring Structural Changes in Polyneuropathies: Their Use in Clinical Practice and Trials. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:2351-2367. [PMID: 34661878 PMCID: PMC8522180 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01136-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Reliable and responsive tools for monitoring disease activity and treatment outcomes in patients with neuropathies are lacking. With the emergence of ultrasensitive blood bioassays, proteins released with nerve damage are potentially useful response biomarkers for many neurological disorders, including polyneuropathies. In this review, we provide an overview of the existing literature focusing on potential applications in polyneuropathy clinical care and trials. Whilst several promising candidates have been identified, no studies have investigated if any of these proteins can serve as response biomarkers of longitudinal disease activity, except for neurofilament light (NfL). For NfL, limited evidence exists supporting a role as a response biomarker in Guillain-Barré syndrome, vasculitic neuropathy, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Most evidence exists for NfL as a response biomarker in hereditary transthyretin-related amyloidosis (hATTR). At the present time, the role of NfL is therefore limited to a supporting clinical tool or exploratory endpoint in trials. Future developments will need to focus on the discovery of additional biomarkers for anatomically specific and other forms of nerve damage using high-throughput technologies and highly sensitive analytical platforms in adequality powered studies of appropriate design. For NfL, a better understanding of cut-off values, the relation to clinical symptoms and long-term disability as well as dynamics in serum on and off treatment is needed to further expand and proceed towards implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luuk Wieske
- Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Duncan Smyth
- Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Michael P Lunn
- Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Filip Eftimov
- Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte E Teunissen
- Neurochemistry Lab, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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