Role of serum Neuron Specific Enolase in differentiating the side of brain lesion in acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to see the role of serum NSE (Neuron Specific Enolase) as a neuronal damage marker and in differentiating the side of brain lesion in acute ischemic stroke patients. Methods: A total of 35 acute ischemic stroke patients (clinically and radiologically confirmed) irrespective of age and sex, admitted in Emergency Unit, Medicine Department within 24 hours of stroke onset were included in this study. Plain CT scan or MRI brain was done for all these patients on admission and after 48 hours to confirm the diagnosis and the side of the lesion in brain. Serum NSE was estimated by using NSE Human ELISA Kit, in the Department of Physiology. Results: In this study, serum NSE bears a positive significant correlation to the infarct volume in brain (r=0.783, p<0.001) and to the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) (r=0.538, p=0.001). However, there is no significance difference between the serum NSE in right hemispheric brain lesion compared to left hemispheric brain lesion (p=0.596). Conclusions: Serum NSE within 24 hours of stroke onset can reflect the volume of brain lesion and severity of acute stroke but cannot differentiate the side of brain lesion in these patients.