Multiple sclerosis is chronic, autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorder of central nervous system. Currently, we have only limited markers of disease activity. From clinical markers, speech markers were analysed. Data from 141 patients and 70 healthy controls were evaluated. The most important results were detection of speech abnormalities in patients with minimal neurological disability (EDSS<2) and their correlations with global and regional brain atrophy. This work is predominantly concetrated on neurofilament light chain (NfL) as one of the most promising paraclinical biomarkers. NfL, especially level of serum NfL (sNfL), is considered to be a biomarker of future disease course, disease activity and effect of DMD (disease modifying drugs) therapy. The main aim was to clarify the position of NfL among others biomarkes and their potential benefit for routine clinical praxis. MRI data, clinical data and results of NfL measurements from 172 newly diagnosed patients with relaps-remiting MS (revised McDonald criteria 2017) from original SET cohort were analysed. Additionally, we compared levels of serum and CSF NfL with other biochemical parameters, such as lipidogram and markers of blood-brain permeability. We found sNfL as a marker of ongoing neuroinflammation and predictor of future brain atrophy...

Background: Neuronal plasticity and regeneration in cancer are understudied aspects of cancer research. Studies have shown that neurogenesis and axonogenesis are associated with cancer progression and metastatic potential. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to optimize an immunofluorescence stain to observe nerve development and regeneration in cancer tissue, with the use of antibodies against neurofilament light chain (Nf-L), growth associated protein 43 (gap-43), and doublecortin X (DCX). Material and method: Staining optimization included evaluations of antigen retrieval, tissue permeabilization, antibody dilution, and duration of primary antibody incubation. The analyses were tested on colorectal- and lung cancer tissues. Results: The detection of Nf-L was not successful in any combination of the analyses or on ether tissue. The staining Gap-43 showed the best results using antigen retrieval with pepsin in HCl and primary antibody dilution 1:500 combined with incubation overnight at 4 °C. Staining for DCX needs more evaluation due to non-specific binding in lung cancer tissue. The stain showed the best results with antigen retrieval performed with pepsin in HCl, primary antibody dilution 1:250 combined with 1 hour incubation at room temperature of the primary antibody. Permeabilization has to some degree shown good results in combination with antigen retrieval with pepsin in HCl. Conclusion: A good protocol was established for Gap-43 detection, but the procedures for Nf-L and DCX detections need to be optimized.