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Early TNF-alpha levels correlate with ischaemic stroke severity
1Department of Clinical Neuroimmunology, University School of Medicine, Poznan, Poland.
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|November 7, 2001
Summary
Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was elevated in acute stroke patients within 24 hours. Higher TNF-alpha levels in cerebrospinal fluid and serum correlated with greater stroke severity and disability.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Acute stroke triggers inflammatory responses.
- Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a key proinflammatory cytokine implicated in various inflammatory conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure TNF-alpha levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of acute ischemic stroke patients.
- To investigate the correlation between TNF-alpha levels and neurological severity and functional outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Collected CSF and serum samples from 23 ischemic stroke patients within 24 hours of stroke onset.
- Assessed neurological severity using the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) and functional disability with the Barthel Index (BI).
Main Results:
- Patients exhibited significantly elevated TNF-alpha levels in both CSF and serum within 24 hours post-stroke.
- These elevated TNF-alpha levels showed a significant correlation with SSS and BI scores at baseline, 1 week, and 2 weeks.
Conclusions:
- Results indicate TNF-alpha plays a role in early stroke-related inflammation.
- Initial TNF-alpha levels may serve as a predictive marker for stroke outcomes.