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Updated: Sep 28, 2026
Experimental Approaches for Biochemical Analysis of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and Its Disease-associated Variants
Published on: November 28, 2025
Measurement of glial fibrillary acidic protein in blood: an analytical method
Wieneke J A van Geel1, Herman P M de Reus, Henk Nijzing
1Laboratory of Pediatrics and Neurology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, Reinier Postlaan 4, 6525 GC Nijmegen, The Netherlands. w.vangeel@cukz.umcn.nl
Background:
In the present study, a new assay for the measurement of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in human blood is described. The aim of the study was to present the characteristics of a new GFAP assay for blood analysis.
Methods:
The method, a newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was validated using blood samples from healthy blood donors and from patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Results:
22 out of 72 healthy blood donors had a detectable GFAP level. The reference values (percentiles) are as follows: P50=0.15 microg/l and P95=0.49 microg/l; range 0.15-0.76 microg/l.
Conclusions:
GFAP in blood might be a promising new marker for astrocyte involvement after acute brain damage.
