Low Serum Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Were Associated with Poor Short-Term Functional Outcome and Mortality in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been highlighted as being a key regulator of rehabilitation-induced recovery after stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum levels of BDNF and functional outcome and mortality events in a 3-month follow-up study in a cohort of patients with an acute ischemic stroke (AIS). From January 2015 to December 2015, consecutive first-ever AIS patients admitted to the Department of Emergency of our hospital were identified.

Procalcitonin Is a Stronger Predictor of Long-Term Functional Outcome and Mortality than High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Ischemic Stroke.

Inflammatory markers have been associated with functional outcome and mortality of stroke. We investigated the changes in procalcitonin (PCT) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) levels during the acute period of ischemic stroke and evaluated the relationship between these levels and the long-term functional outcome and mortality. We prospectively studied 376 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who were admitted within 24 h after the onset of symptoms.