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Neurofilament Light Concentration in Alzheimer Disease
Studying associations with cognitive deterioration
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament light (NFL) concentration is increased by the early clinical stage of Alzheimer disease (AD) and is associated with cognitive deterioration and structural brain changes over time. This according to an analysis of CSF NFL concentration in 95 patients with AD, 192 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 110 cognitively normal controls. Researchers found:
• Median CSF NFL concentrations in pg/ml were:
◊ MCI group with no progression to AD during follow-up=1182
◊ MCI group with progression to AD during follow-up=1336
◊ Control participants=1047
• In the MCI group, a higher CSF NFL concentration was associated with faster brain atrophy over time as measured by changes in whole-brain volume, ventricular volume, and hippocampus volume
• Also in the MCI group, faster disease progression was reflected by decreased Mini-Mental State Examination scores and increased Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale cognitive subscale scores, as well as faster white matter intensity change.
Citation: Zetterberg H, Skillbäck T, Mattsson, et al. Association of cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light concentration with Alzheimer disease progression. [Published online ahead of print November 2, 2015]. JAMA Neurol. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2015.3037.