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Open Access 21-04-2023 | Original Communication

Serum neurofilament light chain levels are associated with all-cause mortality in the general US population

Authors: Stefano Ciardullo, Emanuele Muraca, Eleonora Bianconi, Celeste Ronchetti, Rosa Cannistraci, Laura Rossi, Silvia Perra, Francesca Zerbini, Gianluca Perseghin

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 8/2023

Abstract

Introduction

Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels are biomarkers of neuro-axonal injury in multiple neurological diseases. Little is known on their potential role as prognostic markers in people without known neurological conditions.

Objective

The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between sNfL levels and all-cause mortality in a general population setting.

Methods

sNfL levels were measured in 2071 people aged 25–75 years from the general US population that participated in the 2013–2014 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Cognitive function was evaluated in a subset of participants aged 60–75 years using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease-Word Learning test, the Animal Fluency test and the Digit Symbol Substitution test. We applied Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for several potential confounders to evaluate the association between sNfL and all-cause mortality through December 2019 by linking NHANES data with data from the National Death Index.

Results

In a cross-sectional analysis, higher sNfL levels were associated with worse performance in all three cognitive function tests. Over a median follow-up of 6.1 years, 85 participants died. In a multivariable model adjusted for age, sex, race-ethnicity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, harmful alcohol consumption, cigarette smoke and prevalent cardiovascular disease, higher sNfL levels were significantly and positively associated with all-cause mortality (HR per unit increase in log-transformed sNfL: 2.46, 95% CI 1.77–3.43, p < 0.001). Results were robust when analyses were stratified according to age, sex, body mass index and kidney function.

Conclusion

We found a positive association between sNfL levels and mortality in the general US population. Further studies are needed to understand the biological mechanisms underlying this association.

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Title: Serum neurofilament light chain levels are associated with all-cause mortality in the general US population
Authors: Stefano Ciardullo
Emanuele Muraca
Eleonora Bianconi
Celeste Ronchetti
Rosa Cannistraci
Laura Rossi
Silvia Perra
Francesca Zerbini
Gianluca Perseghin
Publication date: 21-04-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 8/2023
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-023-11739-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Serum neurofilament light chain levels are associated with all-cause mortality in the general US population

Abstract

Introduction

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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