As neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S 100B protein are brain origin proteins, the aim of this study was to assess whether a single NSE and S 100B measure may predict clinical outcome of patients with cerebral ischaemic infarct.

Seventy-one patients with ischaemic stroke and 41 controls were studied. All patients had computed tomography of the brain performed after admission and on the third day and volume of the infarct was assessed by the volumetric method from the second examination. NSE and S 100B protein were analysed by immunochemiluminescence on the fourth day after admission. Clinical state of the patients was determined with the NIH stroke, Barthel and Rankin scales on admission, discharge from the hospital, and after one and 3 months from the onset of stroke.

NSE levels in blood were significantly higher in stroke patients than in the control group – 36.9 ± 24.0 vs. 14.3 ± 9.7 μg/L. Also, the levels of the S 100B protein were significantly higher in the patient group (0.85 ± 1.74 vs. 0.10 ± 0.03 μg/L) but only the levels of S 100B protein correlated with the calculated size of the infarct (Spearman coefficient = 0.77). No such correlation was identified for NSE level (Spearman coefficient = 0.25).

Although significant differences in NSE and S 100B levels between stroke patients and the control group were found, only S 100B protein level correlated with stroke volume, neurological status at admission and functional outcome. NSE did not correlate with stroke volume, neurological status or clinical outcome.