Testing a Plasma Biomarker for Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Two biomarkers of brain injury, neurofilament light and glial fibrillary acidic protein, are also associated with injury severity and likelihood of motor recovery prognosis following traumatic spinal cord injury.

Few tools are available to predict recovery after traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI), which limits the ability of patients and families to plan and may also reduce power in clinical trials. In this observational study, investigators retrospectively analyzed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples from a total of 113 participants in three clinical trials over a 14-year period for neurofilament light (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels. The researchers evaluated the associations of these levels, sampled at multiple time periods, with both initial clinical severity and motor recovery.

Compared with controls, NfL and GFAP levels were significantly elevated in those with tSCI and were predictive of initial injury severity…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Williamson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardNational Football League

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc.

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health

Editorial BoardsNeurocritical Care