Measurement of serum neuron specific enolase and its clinical value in patients with acute cerebral infarction

Objective To explore the level of serum neuron specific enolase(NSE) and its clinical significance in patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods Serum NSE level was measured using ELISA methods in 56 patients with acute cerebral infarction and 30 healthy controls matched in sex and age,cerebral infarction volume was determined by CT and clinical neurologic function impairment score was evaluated by Scandinavian Neurological Stroke Scale(SNSS).Results Serum NSE level was significantly higher in patients after acute cerebral infarction than control(P0.01).There was a significant positive correlation among serum NSE and cerebral infarction volume and neurologic function impairment degree(P0.05).Conclusion Increased serum NSE level is related with neuron necrosis in acute cerebral infarction patients.Serum NSE level may reflect cerebral infarction size,and provide quantitative information for neuron damage degree after cerebral infarction.