Plasma neurofilament heavy chain levels and disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: insights from a longitudinal study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To investigate the role of longitudinal plasma neurofilament heavy chain protein (NfH) levels as an indicator of clinical progression and survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods

A cross-sectional study involving 136 clinically heterogeneous patients with ALS and 104 healthy and neurological controls was extended to include a prospective analysis of 74 of these ALS cases, with samplings at approximately 3-month intervals in a follow-up period of up to 3 years. We analysed the correlation between longitudinal NfH-phosphoform levels and disease progression. Temporal patterns of NfH changes were evaluated using multilevel linear regression.

Results

Baseline plasma NfH levels were higher than controls only in patients with ALS with short disease

SUBMITTER: Lu CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4413806 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature