Cognitive impairment in early stages of multiple sclerosis is associated with high cerebrospinal fluid levels of chitinase 3-like 1 and neurofilament light chain

Eur J Neurol. 2018 Sep;25(9):1189-1191. doi: 10.1111/ene.13687. Epub 2018 Jun 22.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) and neurofilament light chain (NF-L) are promising biomarkers of disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, their role in cognitive dysfunction remains elusive. Here, we aimed to correlate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of CHI3L1 and NF-L with cognitive status in MS.

Methods: Fifty one recently diagnosed patients were cognitively evaluated and CSF was collected. Levels of CHI3L1 and NF-L were determined by ELISA. Spearman's partial correlation coefficient was performed.

Results: After adjusting cognitive scores by age, anxiety and EDSS, association was detected between CHI3L1 levels and Trail Making Test A (rs = 0.348; p = 0.016) and between NF-L levels and Word List Generation (rs = -0.324; p = 0.025).

Conclusion: High levels of CSF CHI3L1 and NF-L are associated with cognitive impairment in the early phases of MS.

Keywords: biomarkers; chitinase 3-like 1; mild cognitive impairment; multiple sclerosis; neurofilament light chain.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1 / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / psychology*
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intermediate Filaments
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / psychology*
  • Neurofilament Proteins / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • CHI3L1 protein, human
  • Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
  • Neurofilament Proteins