CSF Beta-Synuclein, SNAP-25, and Neurogranin in Infectious and Autoimmune Inflammatory Neurologic Diseases

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroinflammation
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Synaptic damage markers beta-synuclein (beta-syn), synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25), and neurogranin are understudied in non-neurodegenerative neurologic conditions.
• Neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) serves as a marker for neuroaxonal damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of beta-syn, SNAP-25, and neurogranin compared to NfL.
• To assess these markers in infectious and autoimmune inflammatory neurologic diseases (IINDs and AINDs).

Main Methods:

• A cohort study involving cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with IINDs (e.g., viral, bacterial meningitis/encephalitis) and AINDs (e.g., autoimmune encephalitis).
• Comparison of biomarker levels between patient groups and a control cohort.

Main Results:

• Elevated CSF beta-syn, neurogranin, and NfL were observed in both IIND and AIND groups compared to controls.
• Synaptic markers and NfL showed limited diagnostic accuracy in differentiating between disease groups.
• Elevated biomarkers correlated with clinical severity (altered mental status, seizures, neuroimaging changes) and poorer short-term outcomes in IINDs.

Conclusions:

• CSF beta-syn, neurogranin, and NfL suggest a common pattern of synaptic and neuroaxonal damage in IINDs and AINDs.
• While not ideal for disease differentiation, these markers are valuable indicators of clinical severity and prognosis, particularly in IINDs.