Abstract
A neurofilament (NF) represents an important structure of the cytoskeleton specific for nervous tissue. Axonal injury is associated with the disruption of axonal cytoskeletal structures and their release into the extracellular space.
Neurofilaments are investigated as biomarkers of axonal damage in various neurological diseases. Strokes are a group of diseases in which the neurofilament examination in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood are intensively studied.
This review summarizes current knowledge about the determination of individual subunits of the neurofilament triplet in cerebral and spinal cord ischemia. Most of the studies showed the increase of light and heavy subunits of neurofilaments in CSF and serum in patients with these neurological disorders.
Some studies demonstrated a potential prognostic significance of NF levels in CSF and serum. Results from studies suggested a certain benefit of the neurofilament examination in ischemic cerebral ischemia.
However, studies on larger groups of patients will be needed for final evaluation of neurofilaments as biomarkers in these disorders.