Serum neurofilament light chain is predictive of longitudinal focal axonal damage in patients with multiple sclerosis

Takeaway

  • Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels are associated with severe focal axonal damage, and baseline sNfL levels can predict long-term disease activity status in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Why this matters

  • sNfL levels correlate with acute inflammation. However, whether it is possible to use sNfL levels to monitor neurodegenerative processes and predict progressive axonal damage in MS is unclear.

  • A better understanding of the correlation between sNfL and inflammation may help identify patients at greater risk of disability progression.