Temporal profile and clinical significance of serum neuron-specific enolase and S100 in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

BACKGROUND Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100 protein are implicated in several brain injuries, including stroke. Our objective was to analyze the temporal profile and the clinical significance of NSE and S-100 in acute ischemic (IS) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS We studied 224 patients with IS and 44 patients with ICH. Computerized tomography (CT) scans were performed to assess infarct volume. Stroke severity was evaluated using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and functional outcome at 3 months with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Serum NSE and S100 protein were measured using an electrochemiluminescence-immunoassay. RESULTS Peak values were found at 72 h for NSE and at 24 h for S100 in IS. For ICH, peak values were found at 24 h for both NSE and S100. At these time intervals S100 and NSE correlated with the NIHSS score and were independently associated with poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS High serum NSE and S100 are associated with poor outcome in IS, and high serum NSE is associated with poor outcome in ICH. These findings suggest the potential utility of NSE and S100 as prognostic markers for acute stroke.