Short-term prognostic value of serum neuron specific enolase and S100B in acute stroke patients.

Objective: To explore the value of blood markers for brain injury as outcome predictors in acute stroke.

Design And Methods: The study included 61 patients with acute stroke (44 ischemic and 17 hemorrhagic) and a high risk control group (79 individuals with no known history of neurological disease). Serum neuron specific enolase (NSE) and S100B were determined by immunoassay (CanAg Diagnostics, Sweden). Outcome at 60 days was evaluated with clinical scales.

Results: Higher concentrations of NSE and S100B were measured in patients compared to high risk controls, but they were not related to stroke severity on admission. NSE was associated with functional neurological outcome at 60 days and to the degree of recovery, whereas S100B exhibited a strong correlation with depression symptoms at 60 days.

Conclusions: The measurements of serum concentrations of NSE and S100B after acute stroke may be clinically relevant for predicting functional neurological outcome and post-stroke depression, respectively.