Cerebrospinal Tau Levels Predict Early Disability in Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease, displaying inflammation and neurodegeneration as neuropathological hallmarks. Nonetheless, the exact mechanisms underlying axonal and neuronal loss remain unclear. Several biomarkers have been investigated, with serum neurofilaments light chain (NFLs) being the most promising. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of Tau and Beta-amyloid (Abeta) are currently used as biomarkers in other neurodegenerative diseases. Conversely in MS, investigation of CSF Tau and Abeta levels so far were reported to provide information on disease prognosis, but these results have not been replicated. Aim of this work was to assess whether CSF Tau and Abeta levels could predict early disability accumulation in MS patients at diagnosis. Methods: 100 MS patients underwent CSF analysis during their diagnostic work-up. Demographic, clinical, radiological features, and CSF were collected at baseline. MS severity score (MSSS) and age-related MSSS (ARMSS) were calculated at last follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed with the Mann–Whitney test for comparisons between groups, Spearman’s coefficient and multiple regression analysis for significant predictors.Results: Baseline CSF Tau levels correlated with MSSS (p=0.0001) and ARMSS (p=0.0176) after a mean two years follow-up. Predictors of early disability evaluated with MSSS and ARMSS were CSF Tau (p=0.009 and p=0.01), spinal cord involvement (p=0.029 and p=0.008), age at MS diagnosis (p=0.001), and high brain lesion load (p=0.02) at baseline. Conclusion: CSF Tau levels showed a predictive value comparable to MRI features and age at diagnosis. We hypothesize that CSF Tau levels express chronic axonal damage, contributing to early MS disability.

XIII Reunión Post-ECTRIMS: revisión de las novedades presentadas en el Congreso ECTRIMS 2020 (I)

“…Se han identificado varios biomarcadores de conversión de síndrome clínico aislado a EM y de progresión de la discapacidad, incluyendo biomarcadores genéticos, clínicos, de fluido (líquido cefalorraquídeo y sangre) y de neuroimagen. En la tabla I se muestra un resumen de los estudios más destacados sobre biomarcadores presentados [41][42][43][44].…”