Prognostic Value of Investigating Neuron-Specific Enolase in Patients with Ischemic Stroke

The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic value of the plasma neuron-specific enolase (NSE) level as a predictor of functional outcome and motor function recovery in the acute period of ischemic stroke (IS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with IS have been examined. On admission to the hospital and at 12–14 days after stroke onset, a clinical and neurological examination have been carried out with the supplementary quantitative assessment of neurological deficit severity according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), functional outcome according to the Modified Rankin Scale, and Rivermead Mobility Index. Enzyme immunoassay was used to determine NSE concentration in blood plasma in the acute period of the disease. RESULTS: The NSE level in patients’ blood plasma in the first 48 h after stroke onset positively correlates with the ischemic focus volume (r=0.49; p=0.003) and the severity of neurological symptoms (according to NIHSS) (r=0.33; p=0.02). NSE less than 2 ng/ml in the acute disease period is a predictor of good functional outcome 12–14 days after stroke onset (OR=12.4; р=0.006). The NSE level >2.6 ng/ml is associated with a high likelihood of lethal outcome. Neurological deficit below 15 according to NIHSS as well as the NSE level <2 ng/ml in the acute IS period are estimated as prognostic factors of significant recovery of motor function at 2 weeks after disease onset (OR=5.8; р=0.02). CONCLUSION: Determination of NSE in blood plasma makes it possible to predict functional outcome of the disease development and the recovery of motor function in patients with IS.