Keele Research Repository

Spasticity is a common sensory-motor dysfunction observed following a stroke, and it is one of the signs indicating damage to the upper motor neurone system at the spinal or cerebral level. Stroke survivors often experience Some resistance to passive movement of their limbs. Increased resistance to passive movement could be attributed to neural and non-neural mechanisms. Neural resistance to passive movement is often referred to as spasticity. Current methods used clinically to measure spasticity proven to be limited or invalid.
The main objective of the current study was to explore the possible usefulness of GFAP, S100B, NSE, Glutamate, GABA, Purines, CK, LD and Albumin as biomarkers of post-stroke spasticity. By comparing the serum concentrations between spastic and non-spastic groups and identify possible correlations of the biomarkers with the development of spasticity. In addition, it was intended to identify possible correlations of muscle biomarkers with post-stroke muscle weakness.
Although not statistically significant, higher levels of three central nerve system specific biomarkers (GFAP, NSE, S100B) and purines indicate a promising candidate targets for further exploration of associated biomarkers for spasticity following stroke.