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Circulating glial fibrillary acidic protein and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-L1 as markers of neuronal damage in children with epileptic seizures

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A Correction to this article was published on 25 March 2021

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Abstract

Background

Epilepsy is a common neurological disease that has a negative impact on physical, social, and cognitive function. Seizure-induced neuronal injury is one of the suggested mechanisms of epilepsy complications. We aimed to evaluate the circulating level of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1) as markers of neuronal damage in children with epilepsy and its relation to epilepsy characteristics.

Study design

Methods

This case control study included 30 children with epilepsy and 30 healthy children as a control group. Seizure severity was determined based on Chalfont score. Serum level of GFAP and UCH-L1were measured, and their associations with epilepsy characteristics were investigated.

Results

Circulating levels of GFAP and UCH-L1 were significantly higher in children with epilepsy than in controls (17.440 ± 6.74 and 5.700 ± 1.64 vs 7.06 ± 3.30 and 1.81 ± 0.23, respectively) especially in those with generalized and active seizures. GFAP and UCH-L1 were significantly correlated to the severity of seizures in the previous 6 months. Elevated GFAP level was a predictor for active seizures (OR 1.841, 95%CI 1.043–3.250, P = 0.035).

Conclusion

Circulating GFAP and UCH-L1 expression is increased in children with epilepsy especially those with active seizures.

Significance

GFAP and UCH-L 1may serve as peripheral biomarkers for neuronal damage in children with epilepsy that can be used to monitor disease progression and severity for early identification of those with drug-resistant epilepsy and those who are in need for epilepsy surgery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11735, Egypt

    Marwa Elhady

  2. Medical Biochemistry Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt

    Eman R Youness, Mahmoud M Masoud & Fayez K. Foudaa

  3. Child Health Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt

    Mones M. AbuShady, Maysa S. Nassar & Ali Abd Elaziz

  4. Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

    Walaa Alshasrany Abu Elhamed

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  1. Marwa Elhady
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  2. Eman R Youness
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  3. Mones M. AbuShady
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  4. Maysa S. Nassar
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  5. Ali Abd Elaziz
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  6. Mahmoud M Masoud
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  7. Fayez K. Foudaa
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  8. Walaa Alshasrany Abu Elhamed
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Correspondence to Marwa Elhady.

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Elhady, M., Youness, E.R., AbuShady, M.M. et al. Circulating glial fibrillary acidic protein and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase-L1 as markers of neuronal damage in children with epileptic seizures. Childs Nerv Syst 37, 879–884 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-020-04920-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-020-04920-z

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