Serial cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament heavy chain levels in severe Guillain-Barré syndrome

Introduction: Proximal axonotmesis results in the release of neurofilament (Nf) proteins into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). High CSF levels of the phosphorylated form of Nf-heavy chain (NfH(SMI35) ) at GBS onset have been reported to be a poor prognostic marker, but routine measurement of CSF NfH(SMI35) levels has not been done and the longitudinal profile of CSF NfH(SMI35) levels in GBS is not known.

Methods: This prospective case series describes the clinical, neurophysiological, and biomarker characteristics of 3 patients with severe GBS.

Results: High and increasing levels of CSF NfH(SMI35) in serial CSF samples were associated with poor clinical and electrophysiological outcome.

Conclusions: These data further suggest that CSF NfH(SMI35) could be a prognostic biomarker which might indicate the development of retrograde axonal degeneration or additional proximal axonal damage during the course of GBS.