Background
We aimed to investigate candidates for serological biomarkers of neuropathic pain in individuals with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).
Methods
We analyzed 38 sera samples from 38 participants with NMOSD in National Cancer Center. Neuropathic pain was evaluated using the painDETECT questionnaire. Pain with neuropathic components (painDETECT score ≥ 13) was observed in 22 participants, among whom 17 had definite neuropathic pain (painDETECT score ≥ 19). The remaining 16 participants had non-neuropathic pain (painDETECT score < 13). Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels were assessed using a single-molecule array assay. Several cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-17A, were measured by a multiplex bead-based immunoassay.
Results
In comparison of NMOSD participants with neuropathic pain components (or definite neuropathic pain) and those with non-neuropathic pain, the absolute values of serum GFAP, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 levels were higher in participants with neuropathic pain components (or definite neuropathic pain), but these findings did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusions
Further larger-scale investigations to find reliable serological biomarkers for neuropathic pain in NMOSD are warranted.

Citations

• Neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis: serum biomarkers and MRI lesion localization
  Mohamed Hamdy Ismail, Amal SE ELmotayam, Sara F. Saadawy, Rabab M. Elfwakhry, Hebatallah M. Fawzy, Noha T. Sarhan
  The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and .2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Shedding light on neuropathic pain: Current and emerging tools for diagnosis, screening, and quantification
  Anas Hamdan, Rafael Galvez, Majed Katati
  SAGE Open Medicine.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Systematic Review and Metanalysis of the Expression of Blood-Based and Cerebrospinal Fluid-Based Biomarkers Related to Inflammatory Mediators in Neuropathic Pain
  Marina Sanz-Gonzalez, Miguel Molina-Alvarez, Carmen Rodriguez-Rivera, David Pascual, Carlos Goicoechea
  Journal of Integrative Neuroscience.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef