Serum netrin-1 as a potential biomarker for functional outcome of traumatic brain injury

Abstract

BackgroundDecreased serum netrin-1 concentrations have been found after acute brain injury. We investigated the role of serum netrin in prognosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI). MethodsIn this prospective and observational study, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum netrin-1 concentrations in 50 mild TBI patients (Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, 13–15), 83 moderate TBI patients (GCS score, 9–12), 69 severe TBI patients (GCS score, 3–8) and 50 healthy controls. Glasgow outcome scale score of 1–3 at 6 months after trauma was defined as poor outcome. ResultsSerum netrin-1 concentrations were significantly lower in moderate or severe TBI patients than in controls and in severe TBI patients than in moderate TBI patients, while not in mild TBI patients than in controls. GCS score and Rotterdam computed tomography classification were closely correlated with serum netrin-1 concentrations among TBI patients. Forty-two (20.8%) patients had poor outcome. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that serum netrin-1 concentrations could distinguish patients with poor outcome from the other remainders significantly. In addition, serum netrin-1 concentrations were independently associated with poor outcome. ConclusionsSerum netrin-1 might serve as a potential biomarker for prognosis of TBI.