[Evaluation of serum neurofilament light chains levels for diagnosis, treatment monitoring and prognosis in multiple sclerosis].
Abstract
Pathophysiological processes in multiple sclerosis frequently not diagnosed by clinicians become available for analysis only on the basis of paraclinical data (biomarkers). Nowadays neurofilament light chain can be defined as a promising biomarker for multiple sclerosis (MS). Neurofilaments are a structural part of normal neuronal processes consisting of light, intermediate and heavy chains. However, a damage of neurons such as neurodegeneration or axonal damage causes the escape of neurofilaments into extracellular space. Cutting-edge highly sensitive methods make it possible to detect neurofilament light chains not only in the cerebrospinal fluid but also in the blood serum thus opening the opportunities to utilize them in routine diagnosis in clinical practice. This review comprises existing data on the possible opportunities for research of serum neurofilament light chains in terms of exacerbations, effectiveness of basic therapy, assessment of individual disability, the atrophy of central nervous system structures. Also, there is some information on comparison of two methods: routine MRI of the brain with the contrast agents and detection of serum neurofilament light chains.