Volume 2023, Issue 1 7246373
Research Article
Open Access

Serum Markers of Neuronal Damage and Astrocyte Activity in Patients with Chronic Epilepsy: Elevated Levels of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein

Monika Mochol

Corresponding Author

Monika Mochol

Department of Neurology, Østfold Hospital Trust, Norway sykehuset-ostfold.no

ERGO-Epilepsy Research Group of Oslo, Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway oslo-universitetssykehus.no

Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway uio.no

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Erik Taubøll

Erik Taubøll

ERGO-Epilepsy Research Group of Oslo, Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway oslo-universitetssykehus.no

Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway uio.no

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Pål Aukrust

Pål Aukrust

Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway uio.no

Section of Clinical Immunology and Infectious diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Norway oslo-universitetssykehus.no

Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Norway oslo-universitetssykehus.no

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Thor Ueland

Thor Ueland

Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway uio.no

Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Norway oslo-universitetssykehus.no

K.G. Jebsen Thrombosis Research and Expertise Center, University of Tromsø, Norway uit.no

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Ole A. Andreassen

Ole A. Andreassen

NORMENT Centre, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo and Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Norway oslo-universitetssykehus.no

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Sigrid Svalheim

Sigrid Svalheim

ERGO-Epilepsy Research Group of Oslo, Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway oslo-universitetssykehus.no

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First published: 07 February 2023
Citations: 2
Academic Editor: Elinor Ben-Menachem

Abstract

Objectives. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is one of the key pathogenic mechanisms in the development of epilepsy. There is therefore an increasing need to identify BBB biomarkers as these will have prognostic and therapeutic implications. The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of the BBB permeability markers, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S100B, and furin in patients with stable epilepsy compared with the levels in healthy controls. Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study included 119 epilepsy patients and 80 healthy controls. Circulating levels of GFAP, NSE, S100B, and furin were measured and questionnaires regarding epilepsy, use of drugs, and comorbidities were completed by all participants. Results. GFAP levels were higher in epilepsy patients after adjustment for potential confounders (sex, age, and BMI) in linear regression (p = 0.042). No significant differences were found in levels of S100B, NSE, or furin. None of the markers were significantly associated with epilepsy duration, seizure type or severity, or seizures in the preceding six months. The majority of the patients (79.7%) did not report seizures within the last 6 months. Conclusion. Our main finding is elevated serum levels of GFAP in epilepsy patients. The results may suggest the presence of astrocyte activation in our patient population with stable epilepsy. Future prospective studies focusing on the longitudinal relationship between epilepsy debut, seizures, and time of blood sampling for BBB markers, also within CSF, could provide valuable knowledge including regarding novel treatment options. The study registration number is 2011/1096, 2018/1437.

Conflicts of Interest

Ole A. Andreassen has received consultant honorarium from HealthyLytix. None other authors have any conflict of interest to declare.

Data Availability

The data is not publicly available due to privacy policy.

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