SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, July 20 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Multiple Sclerosis Unit of the Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, a center attached to the Health Department of the Government of the Canary Islands, has developed a new investigation through which specific neurofilaments are analyzed from a blood test to monitor patients with this pathology.
Neurofilaments are the main and most specific component of the axon of neurons. In recent years, this biomarker has been of great interest in the field of Multiple Sclerosis, proving to be very useful as a diagnostic prognostic marker. Different studies show that high levels of this biomarker at the beginning of the disease, before starting treatment, are associated with a worse prognosis.
The unit is currently conducting a study to determine this biomarker in all patients already diagnosed. In this way, its evolution will be analyzed, comparing the results with those of other tests that are carried out, such as clinical data and images obtained by magnetic resonance.
Thanks to this blood biomarker, it will be possible to help reduce the number of resonances and/or lumbar punctures performed on the patient and to be able to better select those who need to perform them.
Multiple sclerosis is a progressive disease of the central nervous system that causes multiple lesions in the myelin that covers the axons of neurons. Over time, the disease can cause permanent deterioration or damage to nerve fibers, even some people with advanced disease may lose the ability to walk without assistance or completely.
This pathology has no cure. However, there are treatments that help speed recovery from seizures, change the course of the disease, and control symptoms.
