Publications

Objective: Neuropsychiatric (NP) lupus, a common manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is still insufficiently understood, in part, because of the lack of specific bio-markers. Neuron specific enolase (NSE), an important neuronal glycolytic enzyme, showsincreased serum levels following acute brain injury, and decreased serum levels in severalchronic disorders of the nervous system, including multi infarct dementia, multiple sclerosisand depression. The aim of the study was to evaluate serum NSE levels in SLE patients withand without nervous system involvement, and in healthy controls, and to assess the correlationof NSE serum levels of patients with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE)with clinical parameters.

Methods: The study comprised 47 SLE patients and 28 controls. SLEactivity was assessed using the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM). A neurologist and apsychiatrist examined all patients. NP involvement was diagnosed according to strict NPSLEcriteria proposed by Ainiala and coworkers, as modification to American College ofRheumatology (ACR) nomenclature and case definitions. NSE serum levels were determinedby use of an immunoassay.

Results: Mean NSE serum concentrations in patients with NPSLEwere significantly lower than in non-NPSLE patients (6.32.6mg/L vs. 9.73.3mg/L,p<0.01) and in controls (8.83.3mg/L,p<0.05). There were significant negative correlationsbetween NSE serum levels and SLE activity (r¼0.42,p<0.05) and the number of NPSLEmanifestations diagnosed (0.37;p¼0.001).

Conclusion: Decreased serum concentrations ofNSE may reflect chronic neuronal damage with declined metabolism of the nervous tissue inpatients with NPSLE.Lupus(2015)24,1492–1497.