Neuron-specific enolase (NSE)

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE)

Indications for neuron-specific enolase (NSE) test:

1. Diagnosis and efficacy of treatment of small cell lung carcinoma
2. Detection of postischemic brain damage
3. Diagnosis of neuroblastoma, apudoma, neuroendocrine tumors, seminomas

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a glycolytic isoenzyme neuron-specific of enolase. It consists of 2 almost identical polypeptide chains, each of which has a molecular weight of 3.9 Da. It is detected in neurons, neuroendocrine cells of the nervous system, and also in erythrocytes and platelets.

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) normal value - not higher than 12.5 ng/ml.

Elevated levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) are found in patients with small cell lung carcinoma, and in tumors of neuroectodermal or neuroendocrine origin, and neuroblastoma. Increased concentration of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) may occur with benign lung diseases (up to 20 ng/ml and slightly above), therefore clinical diagnosis is recommended for a higher level (more than 25 ng/ml).

Since the neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is found in red blood cells and platelets, hemolysis and delayed centrifugation significantly overstate the results of the analysis. Centrifuge the blood samples should be not later than one hour after blood sampling.