Fig. 4: Associations of plasma measures with imaging indices in MSA patients.
From: Head-to-head comparison of 6 plasma biomarkers in early multiple system atrophy
a Associations of plasma GFAP or NfL with MSA-specific brain regions were shown in scatter plots. b Relationships of GFAP and NfL levels with cortical and subcortical volumes were delineated, with colors reflecting t values in multiple linear regressions. The color bar represents the range of t values. c Results of mediation analyses. The relationship between plasma markers and clinical scores could be partially mediated by brain volumes. d A schematic graph depicting associations among plasma markers, imaging indices, and clinical scales. Changes in brain volumes could partially modulate the associations of plasma NfL and GFAP with the disease severity of MSA. Future studies are warranted to explore whether there are more mediators via which plasma markers contributed to disease severity. Neither NfL nor GFAP could affect emotion, mental behavior, cognition, or caring burden among MSA patients. GFAP glial fibrillary acidic protein, IE indirect effect, MSA multiple system atrophy, NfL neurofilament light.
