PLasmatic Extracellular Vesicles AS Biomarkers of nEural Tissue Damage

Recently proposed central nervous system damage biomarkers detectable in biofluids, such as neurofilament light chain (NfL) have several limits, including a lack in specificity and a kinetic that does not allow them to be used as outcome measures in clinical trials for neurodegenerative diseases such as the progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) or the sequelae of stroke. Our team has pioneered the detection of central nervous system (CNS) extracellular vesicles (EVs) as biomarkers in MS and Alzheimer's Disease. If EVs are not the best solution themselves, we propose also to investigate their content to reveal potential new biomarkers having the same significance and an easier detection technology. Thus, we propose here to set-up front line technologies to detect EVs of CNS origin, or their content, in the plasma of persons affected by MS or by stroke to find better ways to monitor ongoing neurodegenerative processes and therefore allow easier development of new treatments.

Inclusion Criteria: For multiple sclerosis: age 18-50 years old; diagnosis of relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (3). No steroid treatment at enrolment and in the 3 months before. For stroke: age \>18 years, diagnosis of ischemic stroke and presented within 24h from symptoms onset . Exclusion Criteria: For multiple sclerosis: any other neurological or autoimmune disease; any previous disease modifying treatment. For stroke: signs or symptoms of infection on admission, or a history of immunological, haematological disease, or previous neurological disease.