PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - A Petzold AU - K Rejdak AU - G T Plant TI - Axonal degeneration and inflammation in acute optic neuritis AID - 10.1136/jnnp.2003.017236 DP - 2004 Aug 01 TA - Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry PG - 1178--1180 VI - 75 IP - 8 4099 - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/75/8/1178.short 4100 - http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/75/8/1178.full SO - J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry2004 Aug 01; 75 AB - Aims: To investigate whether plasma biomarkers for axonal injury and inflammation are related to loss and recovery of visual function in acute optic neuritis (ON). Methods: Eighteen patients with ON and 14 controls were investigated in a longitudinal, prospective study. Plasma phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (NfHSMI35; a surrogate marker of axonal injury), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), and citrulline (surrogate markers of inflammation) were measured. Results: Patients with ON had higher median plasma NfHSMI35 values than controls (0.17 versus 0.005 ng/ml; p < 0.05) and higher NOx values (49 versus 35.5μM; p < 0.001). Plasma NfHSMI35 values correlated inversely with visual acuity at presentation (R  =  −0.67; p  =  0.01). NfHSMI35 was higher in patients with poor recovery of visual acuity than in those with good recovery (0.25 ng/ml versus 0.09 ng/ml; p < 0.05). Three of four patients with high NfHSMI35 and high NOx values experienced a poor recovery as opposed to only one of five with high NOx but normal NfHSMI35 values. Conclusions: NfHSMI35, a surrogate marker for axonal damage, is a prognostic indicator and should be considered in the design of neuroprotective treatment strategies.