Biomarker of early neurological deterioration in minor stroke and proximal large vessel occlusion: A pilot study.

Background: Plasma neurofilament light chain (pNFL) represents one of the scaffolding proteins of central nervous system axonal injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate pNFL as a predictive biomarker for early neurological deterioration (END) in medically managed patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) and mild presentation (NIHSS < 6).

Methods: This retrospective study was developed from a prospectively collected stroke database, which was conducted at a large academic comprehensive stroke center in western China. Patients who first presented with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) within 24 h of symptom onset were continuously included. Stroke severity was analyzed at admission using the NIHSS score. The pNFL drawn on admission was analyzed with a novel ultrasensitive single-molecule array.

Results: Thirty-nine consecutive patients were included in the analysis, and 19 (48.72%) patients experienced END. Patients who experienced END had significantly higher pNFL levels (mean, 65.20 vs. 48.28 pg/mL; < 0.001) and larger infarct volume (mean, 15.46 vs. 9.56 mL; < 0.001). pNFL was valuable for the prediction of END (OR, 1.170; 95% CI, 1.049-1.306; = 0.005), even after adjusted for age and sex (OR, 1.178; 95% CI, 1.038-1.323; = 0.006), blood sampling time, baseline NIHSS, TOAST classification, and infarct volume (OR, 1.168; 95% CI, 1.034-1.320; = 0.012). The area under the ROC curve was 85.0% (95% CI, 0.731-0.970; < 0.001). The sensitivity was 73.7%, and the specificity was 80%.

Conclusion: END in minor stroke with LVO was distinguishable from those without END following the determination of pNFL in the blood samples within 24 h of onset. The pNFL is a promising biomarker of END in minor stroke with LVO.

Clinical Trial Registration: ChiCTR1800020330.