Neurological symptoms and blood neurofilament light levels

Acta Neurol Scand. 2021 Jul;144(1):13-20. doi: 10.1111/ane.13415. Epub 2021 Mar 18.

Abstract

Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is an incredibly specific marker of neuronal injury that is not specific for cause or location of the neuronal damage. NfL is increasingly considered as possible biomarker of disease activity in neurological conditions. Several works reviewed the utility of NfL in the different diseases. Nonetheless, NfL is a universal marker of neuronal damage, which interpretation spaces beyond the single disease. Because of this, the interpretation of NfL may benefit by also considering how neurological symptoms relate to its blood concentration. Here, we review how different neurological symptoms can be associated with blood NfL levels with a practical interpretation of it.

Keywords: biomarker; neurofilament; neurologic disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cognition / physiology
  • Humans
  • Nervous System Diseases / blood*
  • Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Neurofilament Proteins / blood*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • neurofilament protein L