We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Blood Biomarker Predicts Dementia in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 24 Feb 2021
Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a highly prevalent condition, which causes lacunar stroke, vascular cognitive impairment and vascular dementia. More...
Few treatments have been shown to delay disease progression.

Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a blood marker sensitive to neuroaxonal damage and increased levels occur in neurodegenerative diseases. In a cross-sectional study in SVD, NfL levels were associated with cognition and disability. However, if NfL is to be used to predict outcome, studies are required to demonstrate baseline NfL predicts future dementia risk.

An international team of scientists associated with the University of Cambridge (Cambridge, UK) enrolled a total of 121 patients with symptomatic SVD, defined as a clinical lacunar stroke syndrome with MRI evidence of an anatomically corresponding lacunar infarct, at least three months post stroke. Of the 121 subjects recruited, blood was available for 113, and in 90 patients blood samples were available from at least at two time points. Average baseline age was 70, and 74% of participants were men.

Serum Nfl analysis was the same for all samples using the same single-molecule array instrument, the Simoa HD-1 (Quanterix, Billerica, MA, USA). The team used the capture monoclonal antibody (mAB) 47:3 and the biotinylated detector mAB 2:1 (UmanDiagnostics, Umeå, Sweden), transferred onto the Simoa platform.

The team reported baseline serum NfL levels averaged 36.51 pg/mL. Cross-sectional analyses showed NfL levels were inversely associated with global cognitive function, executive function, and processing speed. They also were negatively correlated with disability. Higher NfL levels were positively associated with lacune count, cerebral microbleed count, white matter hyperintensities, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measures, and were negatively associated with normalized brain volume.

Over five years, both global cognition and processing speed declined significantly. Higher NfL at baseline predicted lower function in global cognition independently of clinical markers and baseline cognition. A total of 107 participants had complete baseline DTI and NfL data; 19 of them converted to dementia over time. Higher baseline NfL predicted not only dementia, but changes in lacune count, microbleed count, and brain volume, independently of initial MRI baseline values and patient age.

The authors concluded that prospective cohort study demonstrates that baseline NfL values predict cognitive decline and dementia rate over a five years follow-up duration in patients with severe SVD. NfL may be a useful prognostic marker in this disease. However, in contrast to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), change in NfL values was not detected over a three years follow-up period with annual sampling, suggesting NfL is unlikely to be a useful surrogate marker in a phase 2 clinical trial. The study was published on February 8, 2021 in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry.

Related Links:
University of Cambridge
Quanterix
UmanDiagnostics



New
Gold Member
Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile pHOx
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
Gold Member
Automated Cell Culture Chemistry Analyzer
BioProfile FLEX2 Basic
New
Automated PCR Setup
ESTREAM
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Increased polysialic acid in schizophrenia patients represents a potential diagnostic tool and possible target for treatment (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Technique for Measuring Acidic Glycan in Blood Simplifies Schizophrenia Diagnosis

Polysialic acid is a unique acidic glycan predominantly found in brain regions associated with memory and emotion, but it is also present in the bloodstream. Research has shown that blood levels of polysialic... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A simple blood test could replace surgical biopsies for early detecion of heart transplant rejection (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Detects Organ Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients

Following a heart transplant, patients are required to undergo surgical biopsies so that physicians can assess the possibility of organ rejection. Rejection happens when the recipient’s immune system identifies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.