Utility of serum NSE levels in traumatic brain injuries with meningeal hemorrhage

Abstract

The Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is an enzyme involved in glycolysis. It is localized in neurons and axonal process, and release into both the cerebrospinal fluid and serum after damage to the central nervous system. We examined serum levels of neuron-specific enolase by enzyme immunoassay in 35 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to cranial traumatism and in 47 healthy controls. Serum neuron specific enolase levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls. There was no correlation between serum NSE levels on admission in patients and consiounsciousness clinical grade or the amount of subarachnoid blood. Patients with a poor outcome had serum neuron-specific levels on admission significantly higher than those with good one. Serum NSE levels may be used in predicting outcome in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.