Serum neurofilament light levels in normal aging and their association with morphologic brain changes

Michael Khalil (), Lukas Pirpamer, Edith Hofer, Margarete M. Voortman, Christian Barro, David Leppert, Pascal Benkert, Stefan Ropele, Christian Enzinger, Franz Fazekas, Reinhold Schmidt and Jens Kuhle ()
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Michael Khalil: Medical University of Graz
Lukas Pirpamer: Medical University of Graz
Edith Hofer: Medical University of Graz
Margarete M. Voortman: Medical University of Graz
Christian Barro: University of Basel
David Leppert: University of Basel
Pascal Benkert: University of Basel
Stefan Ropele: Medical University of Graz
Christian Enzinger: Medical University of Graz
Franz Fazekas: Medical University of Graz
Reinhold Schmidt: Medical University of Graz
Jens Kuhle: University of Basel

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Neurofilament light (NfL) protein is a marker of neuro-axonal damage and can be measured not only in cerebrospinal fluid but also in serum, which allows for repeated assessments. There is still limited knowledge regarding the association of serum NfL (sNfL) with age and subclinical morphologic brain changes and their dynamics in the normal population. We measured sNfL by a single molecule array (Simoa) assay in 335 individuals participating in a population-based cohort study and after a mean follow-up time of 5.9 years (n = 103). Detailed clinical examination, cognitive testing and 3T brain MRI were performed to assess subclinical brain damage. We show that rising and more variable sNfL in individuals >60 years indicate an acceleration of neuronal injury at higher age, which may be driven by subclinical comorbid pathologies. This is supported by a close association of sNfL with brain volume changes in a cross-sectional and especially longitudinal manner.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14612-6

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