INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NEUROVASCULAR UNIT BIOMARKERS AND VARIABLES ASSESSING CLINICAL PROGRESSION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH RR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Objective: Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease characterised by inflammation, demyelination and axonal damage. The present study was designed to examine the relationship between biomarkers assessing Neurovascular Unit functioning in individuals with RR MS and physical parameters used for progression assessment in the clinic. Methods: Thirty RRMS patients who had a definitive diagnosis of MS and met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Initially, the SMMT was administered to patients who scored 24 or higher. These patients completed a demographic data form and clinically assessed MS progression using the EDSS scale, the 6-Minute Walk Test, the Timed Up and Go Test, and the 9-Hole Peg Test. Blood samples were then collected for ELISA analysis of GFAP, VEGF, and NfL biomarkers, which assess Neurovascular Unit function. Results: A positive and significant relationship was detected between serum NfL level and the “time since last attack” variable (rho=0.366, p=0.047). No significant relationship was detected between serum NfL, serum VEGF-a, and serum GFAP levels and EDSS, 9DPT (Dominant and Non-Dominant), TUG, and 6MWT scores (p>0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that serum VEGF-a, GFAP, and serum NfL levels may not be biomarkers for disease progression characterized by Neurovascular Unit dysfunction in MS, but serum NfL may be an important marker for assessing long-term progression and transition to Secondary Progressive MS.