Svar Life Science

November 3, 2021

Neurofilament Light Chain as a Blood-Based Biomarker for MS

Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) is an important structural component of the neuronal cytoskeleton. It is released into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood following neuronal injury and degeneration in a range of neurodegenerative disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and Huntington disease.

Based on how well NfL levels in blood and CSF correlate with MS disease activity, it has been proposed as a biomarker for neurologic damage and disease activity in relapsing MS (Thebault et al. 2021, and references therein). 

November 3, 2021

Neurofilament Light Chain as a Blood-Based Biomarker for MS

Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) is an important structural component of the neuronal cytoskeleton. It is released into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood following neuronal injury and degeneration in a range of neurodegenerative disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and Huntington disease.

Based on how well NfL levels in blood and CSF correlate with MS disease activity, it has been proposed as a biomarker for neurologic damage and disease activity in relapsing MS (Thebault et al. 2021, and references therein). 

There have also been encouraging results regarding the role of serum NfL as an objective tool for monitoring patients following treatment – which is especially important considering the rise in treatment options for MS patients in recent years.

Recent papers have found associations between MS and serum NfL levels in the areas of inflammatory activity, progression, treatment response, and prognosis.

The use of blood-based biomarkers is a huge stride forward as they are much less invasive and difficult to work with than CSF.

This development has been brought about by technological advances and the use of Single-Molecule Arrays (Simoa), which are about 900 times more sensitive than traditional ELISA technology and present the opportunity to detect and measure the low concentration of NfL in blood as well as CSF more accurately.

How we can help

Wieslab Diagnostic Services are proud to offer NfL testing in CSF, serum, and EDTA-plasma, which facilitates patient care for measuring disease activity, treatment response, and prognosis for neurodegenerative disorders.
NfL Testing