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Kang MJY, Eratne D, Wannan C, Santillo AF, Velakoulis D, Pantelis C, Cropley V. Plasma neurofilament light chain is not elevated in people with first-episode psychosis or those at ultra-high risk for psychosis. Schizophr Res 2024; 267:269-272. [PMID: 38581830 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2024.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neurofilament light chain (NfL), a blood biomarker of neuronal injury, shows promise in distinguishing neurodegenerative disorders from psychiatric conditions. This is especially relevant in psychosis, given neurological conditions such as autoimmune encephalitis and Niemann Pick Type C disease (NPC) may initially present with psychotic symptoms. Whilst NfL levels have been studied in established schizophrenia cases, their levels in first-episode psychosis (FEP) and ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis individuals remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to compare plasma NfL in people with FEP or UHR with healthy controls, as well as explore its associations with clinical data. METHOD We retrospectively analysed plasma NfL in 63 participants, consisting of 29 individuals with FEP, 10 individuals with UHR, and 24 healthy controls. We used general linear models (GLM), which were bootstrapped, to compute bias-corrected and accelerated (BCa) 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Mean NfL levels were 5.2 pg/mL in FEP, 4.9 pg/mL in UHR, and 5.9 pg/mL in healthy controls. Compared to healthy controls, there were no significant differences in NfL levels in the FEP group (β = -0.22, 95 % CI [-0.86, 0.39], p = 0.516) nor UHR group (β = -0.37, 95 % CI [-0.90, 0.19], p = 0.182). There were no significant associations between NfL levels and clinical variables in the FEP group. DISCUSSION Our study is the first to demonstrate that plasma NfL levels are not significantly elevated in individuals at UHR for psychosis compared to healthy controls, a finding also observed in the FEP cohort. These findings bolster the potential diagnostic utility of NfL in differentiating between psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Y Kang
- Neuropsychiatry Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia; Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre & Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Dhamidhu Eratne
- Neuropsychiatry Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia; Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre & Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Cassandra Wannan
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre & Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia; Orygen, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | | | - Dennis Velakoulis
- Neuropsychiatry Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia; Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre & Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Christos Pantelis
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre & Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Vanessa Cropley
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre & Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia; Orygen, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Nisha Aji K, Cisbani G, Weidenauer A, Koppel A, Hafizi S, Da Silva T, Kiang M, Rusjan PM, Bazinet RP, Mizrahi R. Neurofilament light-chain (NfL) and 18 kDa translocator protein in early psychosis and its putative high-risk. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 37:100742. [PMID: 38495956 PMCID: PMC10940889 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Evidence of elevated peripheral Neurofilament light-chain (NfL) as a biomarker of neuronal injury can be utilized to reveal nonspecific axonal damage, which could reflect altered neuroimmune function. To date, only a few studies have investigated NfL as a fluid biomarker in schizophrenia primarily, though none in its putative prodrome (Clinical High-Risk, CHR) or in untreated first-episode psychosis (FEP). Further, it is unknown whether peripheral NfL is associated with 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), a validated neuroimmune marker. In this secondary study, we investigated for the first time (1) serum NfL in early stages of psychosis including CHR and FEP as compared to healthy controls, and (2) examined its association with brain TSPO, using [18F]FEPPA positron emission tomography (PET). Further, in the exploratory analyses, we aimed to assess associations between serum NfL and symptom severity in patient group and cognitive impairment in the combined cohort. A large cohort of 84 participants including 27 FEP (24 antipsychotic-naive), 41 CHR (34 antipsychotic-naive) and 16 healthy controls underwent structural brain MRI and [18F]FEPPA PET scan and their blood samples were obtained and assessed for serum NfL concentrations. We found no significant differences in serum NfL levels across clinical groups, controlling for age. We also found no significant association between NfL levels and brain TSPO in the entire cohort. We observed a negative association between serum NfL and negative symptom severity in CHR. Our findings suggest that neither active neuroaxonal deterioration as measured with NfL nor associated neuroimmune activation (TSPO) is clearly identifiable in an early mostly untreated psychosis sample including its putative high-risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kankana Nisha Aji
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Douglas Research Centre, Clinical and Translational Sciences Lab, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Giulia Cisbani
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ana Weidenauer
- Division of General Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alex Koppel
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sina Hafizi
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tania Da Silva
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Kiang
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pablo M. Rusjan
- Douglas Research Centre, Clinical and Translational Sciences Lab, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Richard P. Bazinet
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Romina Mizrahi
- Douglas Research Centre, Clinical and Translational Sciences Lab, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Cilia BJ, Eratne D, Wannan C, Malpas C, Janelidze S, Hansson O, Everall I, Bousman C, Thomas N, Santillo AF, Velakoulis D, Pantelis C. Associations between structural brain changes and blood neurofilament light chain protein in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.04.07.24305362. [PMID: 38645076 PMCID: PMC11030485 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.07.24305362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Background and Hypothesis Around 30% of people with schizophrenia are refractory to antipsychotic treatment (treatment-resistant schizophrenia; TRS). While abnormal structural neuroimaging findings, in particular volume and thickness reductions, are often observed in schizophrenia, it is anticipated that biomarkers of neuronal injury like neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) can improve our understanding of the pathological basis underlying schizophrenia. The current study aimed to determine whether people with TRS demonstrate different associations between plasma NfL levels and regional cortical thickness reductions compared with controls. Study Design Measurements of plasma NfL and cortical thickness were obtained from 39 individuals with TRS, and 43 healthy controls. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging sequences were obtained and processed via FreeSurfer. General linear mixed models adjusting for age and weight were estimated to determine whether the interaction between diagnostic group and plasma NfL level predicted lower cortical thickness across frontotemporal structures and the insula. Study Results Significant (false discovery rate corrected) cortical thinning of the left ( p = 0.001, η 2p = 0.104) and right ( p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.167) insula was associated with higher levels of plasma NfL in TRS, but not in healthy controls. Conclusions The association between regional thickness reduction of the insula bilaterally and plasma NfL may reflect a neurodegenerative process during the course of TRS. The findings of the present study suggest that some level of cortical degeneration localised to the bilateral insula may exist in people with TRS, which is not observed in the normal population.
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Bavato F, Barro C, Schnider LK, Simrén J, Zetterberg H, Seifritz E, Quednow BB. Introducing neurofilament light chain measure in psychiatry: current evidence, opportunities, and pitfalls. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02524-6. [PMID: 38503931 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02524-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The recent introduction of new-generation immunoassay methods allows the reliable quantification of structural brain markers in peripheral matrices. Neurofilament light chain (NfL), a neuron-specific cytoskeletal component released in extracellular matrices after neuroaxonal impairment, is considered a promising blood marker of active brain pathology. Given its sensitivity to a wide range of neuropathological alterations, NfL has been suggested for the use in clinical practice as a highly sensitive, but unspecific tool to quantify active brain pathology. While large efforts have been put in characterizing its clinical profile in many neurological conditions, NfL has received far less attention as a potential biomarker in major psychiatric disorders. Therefore, we briefly introduce NfL as a marker of neuroaxonal injury, systematically review recent findings on cerebrospinal fluid and blood NfL levels in patients with primary psychiatric conditions and highlight the opportunities and pitfalls. Current evidence suggests an elevation of blood NfL levels in patients with major depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, anorexia nervosa, and substance use disorders compared to physiological states. However, blood NfL levels strongly vary across diagnostic entities, clinical stage, and patient subgroups, and are influenced by several demographic, clinical, and analytical factors, which require accurate characterization. Potential clinical applications of NfL measure in psychiatry are seen in diagnostic and prognostic algorithms, to exclude neurodegenerative disease, in the assessment of brain toxicity for different pharmacological compounds, and in the longitudinal monitoring of treatment response. The high inter-individual variability of NfL levels and the lack of neurobiological understanding of its release are some of the main current limitations. Overall, this primer aims to introduce researchers and clinicians to NfL measure in the psychiatric field and to provide a conceptual framework for future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Bavato
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics; Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Christian Barro
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura K Schnider
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics; Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Joel Simrén
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Erich Seifritz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics; Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Boris B Quednow
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics; Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Eratne D, Kang M, Malpas C, Simpson-Yap S, Lewis C, Dang C, Grewal J, Coe A, Dobson H, Keem M, Chiu WH, Kalincik T, Ooi S, Darby D, Brodtmann A, Hansson O, Janelidze S, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Walker A, Dean O, Berk M, Wannan C, Pantelis C, Loi SM, Walterfang M, Berkovic SF, Santillo AF, Velakoulis D. Plasma neurofilament light in behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia compared to mood and psychotic disorders. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2024; 58:70-81. [PMID: 37477141 DOI: 10.1177/00048674231187312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Blood biomarkers of neuronal injury such as neurofilament light (NfL) show promise to improve diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders and distinguish neurodegenerative from primary psychiatric disorders (PPD). This study investigated the diagnostic utility of plasma NfL to differentiate behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD, a neurodegenerative disorder commonly misdiagnosed initially as PPD), from PPD, and performance of large normative/reference data sets and models. METHODS Plasma NfL was analysed in major depressive disorder (MDD, n = 42), bipolar affective disorder (BPAD, n = 121), treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS, n = 82), bvFTD (n = 22), and compared to the reference cohort (Control Group 2, n = 1926, using GAMLSS modelling), and age-matched controls (Control Group 1, n = 96, using general linear models). RESULTS Large differences were seen between bvFTD (mean NfL 34.9 pg/mL) and all PPDs and controls (all < 11 pg/mL). NfL distinguished bvFTD from PPD with high accuracy, sensitivity (86%), and specificity (88%). GAMLSS models using reference Control Group 2 facilitated precision interpretation of individual levels, while performing equally to or outperforming models using local controls. Slightly higher NfL levels were found in BPAD, compared to controls and TRS. CONCLUSIONS This study adds further evidence on the diagnostic utility of NfL to distinguish bvFTD from PPD of high clinical relevance to a bvFTD differential diagnosis, and includes the largest cohort of BPAD to date. Using large reference cohorts, GAMLSS modelling and the interactive Internet-based application we developed, may have important implications for future research and clinical translation. Studies are underway investigating utility of plasma NfL in diverse neurodegenerative and primary psychiatric conditions in real-world clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhamidhu Eratne
- Neuropsychiatry, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthew Kang
- Neuropsychiatry, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Charles Malpas
- CORe, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Steve Simpson-Yap
- CORe, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Courtney Lewis
- Neuropsychiatry, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Christa Dang
- National Ageing Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jasleen Grewal
- Department of Psychiatry, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Amy Coe
- Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hannah Dobson
- Neuropsychiatry, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Keem
- Neuropsychiatry, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Wei-Hsuan Chiu
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tomas Kalincik
- CORe, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Neuroimmunology Centre, Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Suyi Ooi
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - David Darby
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Neuroscience Department, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Eastern Neurosciences, Box Hill Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Amy Brodtmann
- Department of Eastern Neurosciences, Box Hill Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Cognitive Health Initiative, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Oskar Hansson
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- The Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Shorena Janelidze
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Dahlgren's Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Dahlgren's Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Adam Walker
- IMPACT - Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Olivia Dean
- IMPACT - Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- IMPACT - Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Cassandra Wannan
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Orygen, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Christos Pantelis
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- NorthWestern Mental Health, Sunshine Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Samantha M Loi
- Neuropsychiatry, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark Walterfang
- Neuropsychiatry, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Samuel F Berkovic
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, Austin Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexander F Santillo
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Dennis Velakoulis
- Neuropsychiatry, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Fernqvist A, Alexiou E, Zetterberg H, Howner K, Nilsson T, Andiné P. Plasma neurofilament light chain protein is not increased in forensic psychiatric populations: a pilot study. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1176266. [PMID: 37215673 PMCID: PMC10192562 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1176266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) is a fluid biomarker of neural injury measurable in cerebrospinal fluid and blood. Patients with different neurodegenerative disorders and mild traumatic brain injury display elevated levels of NfL. However, so far, elevated levels of NfL have not been demonstrated in persons with psychiatric disorders. To our knowledge, the occurrence of NfL in the blood has not previously been studied in persons undergoing forensic psychiatric assessment or persons treated in forensic mental health services. Supposedly, these persons suffer from experiences and conditions with a higher risk of neural injury than other psychiatric patients. Methods In this pilot study, we investigated plasma levels of NfL in 20 persons undergoing forensic psychiatric assessment and 20 patients at a forensic psychiatric hospital. NfL values were compared with control groups of healthy individuals matched for age and sex. Results The prevalence of increased NfL in both forensic groups was low and did not differ compared with the controls. However, some persons undergoing forensic psychiatric assessment showed slightly elevated values. Discussion The slightly elevated values were observed in the group investigated closer in time to the index crime, when elevated NfL levels could be expected to be more prevalent due to acute conditions from the time of the offense. This gives reason to look further into this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Fernqvist
- Center for Ethics, Law and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eirini Alexiou
- Center for Ethics, Law and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Forensic Psychiatric Clinic, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Katarina Howner
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Thomas Nilsson
- Center for Ethics, Law and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Forensic Psychiatric Clinic, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Peter Andiné
- Center for Ethics, Law and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Forensic Psychiatric Clinic, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Runge K, Balla A, Fiebich BL, Maier SJ, von Zedtwitz K, Nickel K, Dersch R, Domschke K, Tebartz van Elst L, Endres D. Neurodegeneration Markers in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of 100 Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder. Schizophr Bull 2023; 49:464-473. [PMID: 36200879 PMCID: PMC10016411 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) can be associated with neurodegenerative processes causing disruption of neuronal, synaptic, or axonal integrity. Some previous studies have reported alterations of neurodegenerative markers (such as amyloid beta [Aβ], tau, or neurofilaments) in patients with SSD. However, the current state of research remains inconclusive. Therefore, the rationale of this study was to investigate established neurodegenerative markers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a large group of patients with SSD. STUDY DESIGN Measurements of Aβ1-40, Aß1-42, phospho- and total-tau in addition to neurofilament light (NFL), medium (NFM), and heavy (NFH) chains were performed in the CSF of 100 patients with SSD (60 F, 40 M; age 33.7 ± 12.0) and 39 controls with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (33 F, 6 M; age 34.6 ± 12.0) using enzyme-linked immunoassays. STUDY RESULTS The NFM levels were significantly increased in SSD patients (P = .009), whereas phospho-tau levels were lower in comparison to the control group (P = .018). No other significant differences in total-tau, beta-amyloid-quotient (Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40), NFL, and NFH were identified. CONCLUSIONS The findings argue against a general tauopathy or amyloid pathology in patients with SSD. However, high levels of NFM, which has been linked to regulatory functions in dopaminergic neurotransmission, were associated with SSD. Therefore, NFM could be a promising candidate for further research on SSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimon Runge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Agnes Balla
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bernd L Fiebich
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simon J Maier
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina von Zedtwitz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Nickel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rick Dersch
- Clinic of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Basics in Neuromodulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ludger Tebartz van Elst
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dominique Endres
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Arslan B, Zetterberg H. Neurofilament light chain as neuronal injury marker - what is needed to facilitate implementation in clinical laboratory practice? Clin Chem Lab Med 2023; 61:1140-1149. [PMID: 36880940 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2023-0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Neurobiomarkers have attracted significant attention over the last ten years. One promising biomarker is the neurofilament light chain protein (NfL). Since the introduction of ultrasensitive assays, NfL has been developed into a widely used axonal damage marker of relevance to the diagnosis, prognostication, follow-up, and treatment monitoring of a range of neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. The marker is increasingly used clinically, as well as in clinical trials. Even if we have validated precise, sensitive, and specific assays for NfL quantification in both cerebrospinal fluid and blood, there are analytical, as well as pre- and post-analytical aspects of the total NfL testing process, including biomarker interpretation, to consider. Although the biomarker is already in use in specialised clinical laboratory settings, a more general use requires some further work. In this review, we provide brief basic information and opinions on NfL as a biomarker of axonal injury in neurological diseases and pinpoint additional work needed to facilitate biomarker implementation in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burak Arslan
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at The University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at The University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 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, People's Republic of China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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Xin Y, Lin G, Hua T, Liang J, Sun T, Wu X. The altered expression of cytoskeletal and synaptic remodeling proteins during epilepsy. Open Life Sci 2023; 18:20220595. [PMID: 37070078 PMCID: PMC10105555 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The cytoskeleton plays an important role in epilepsy; however, the mechanism is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to reveal the mechanism of cytoskeletal proteins in epilepsy by investigating the expression of cytoskeletal proteins and synaptophysin (SYP) in mice at 0, 3, 6, and 24 h, 3 days, and 7 days in a kainic acid (KA)-induced epileptic model. Our results demonstrated that the expression of F-actin decreased significantly between 3 and 6 h, 6 and 24 h, and 24 h and 3 days (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of the neurofilament light chain, neurofilament medium chain, and neurofilament heavy chain subunits was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) at 3 h after the KA injection compared to the KA 0 h group, followed by an elevation at 6 h and a further decrease at 24 h compared to at 6 h. SYP expression was significantly decreased between 0 and 3 h as well as between 3 and 6 h (P < 0.05). At 24 h, the level was increased compared to at 6 h and continued to increase at 3 days after the KA injection. Thus, we propose that cytoskeletal proteins may be involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanbao Xin
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, Institute of Immunology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Guojiao Lin
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, Institute of Immunology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Tianbao Hua
- The First Hospital and International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130015, China
| | - Jianmin Liang
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Neurology, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Tianmeng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, Institute of Immunology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
- The First Hospital and International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130015, China
| | - Xuemei Wu
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Neurology, Changchun 130021, China
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