Transient Association Between Elevated NSE and Reduced fT3 Levels Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A 12-Month...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Endocrinology
• Trauma Care

Background:

• Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) requires updated monitoring strategies due to overlapping symptoms with neuroendocrine dysfunction.
• Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a common biomarker for neuronal injury.
• Thyroid hormone assessment may offer complementary insights into mTBI recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between NSE and thyroid hormone levels following mTBI.
• To explore neuroendocrine alterations over a 12-month follow-up period.
• To assess the potential of thyroid hormones as complementary biomarkers in mTBI management.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of adults with mTBI recruited from a tertiary trauma center.
• Blood samples collected at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months post-injury.
• Measurement of NSE and thyroid hormones (e.g., fT3) using chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA).
• Utilized validated questionnaires for symptom and quality of life assessment (RPQ, HADS, PSQI, EQ-5D-5L).

Main Results:

• A significant association was observed between higher NSE levels and lower free triiodothyronine (fT3) at 3 months post-mTBI.
• No significant associations were found between NSE and fT3 at 6- and 12-month follow-ups.
• Exploratory findings suggest a potential link between neuronal injury and neuroendocrine response.

Conclusions:

• Reduced fT3 concentrations were noted in mTBI patients with persistently elevated NSE at 3 months.
• These findings suggest a possible connection between neuronal injury markers and post-traumatic neuroendocrine changes.
• Further research into multi-marker approaches for mTBI monitoring is warranted.