Neurofilament antibodies in early MS

Epub: Fialová et al. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid heavy neurofilaments and antibodies against them in early multiple sclerosis. J Neuroimmunol. 2013 Apr doi:S0165-5728(13)00080-5.10.1016/j.jneuroim.2013.03.009.

Heavy neurofilaments (NFH) released from neurons during axonal injury induce a antibody response. We measured CSF and serum levels of NFH proteins and anti-NFH IgG antibodies in 19 patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) converting to multiple sclerosis, in 20 stable CIS patients, 23 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 32 control subjects using ELISA. CSF and intrathecal levels and CSF/serum ratios of anti-NFH antibodies were increased in the CIS patients early developing MS while NFH protein concentrations were similar among the groups. Changes associated with NFH are more pronounced for antibodies than for protein itself and may aid in prediction of CIS patients.


This study shows that people with early MS have antibodies against nerve proteins,which could be a marker of disease activity. However,a question is. Could this be part of the  disease process

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