Assunta Ingannato (Italy)
University of Florence Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child HealthAuthor Of 1 Presentation
PLASMA NEUROFILAMENT LIGHT CHAIN AS A USEFUL BIOMARKER IN PRODROMAL PHASES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
- Deborah Leccese (Italy)
Abstract
Background and Aims:
One of the greatest challenges in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the discovery of new non-invasive, sensitive and specific biomarkers, which might be useful in prodromal phases like mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Neurofilament light chain (NfL), a component of neuronal cytoskeleton, is becoming increasingly notable in different neurological diseases including AD, as a valuable marker of neuronal damage. We aimed to assess quantitative differences in plasma NfL levels between SCD, MCI and AD patients investigating the role of NfL in the early stages of AD.
Methods:
We included 16 SCD, 19 MCI and 6 AD patients, who underwent clinical evaluation, neuropsychological assessment, Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotyping and plasma NfL analysis with SiMoA assay. Six SCD, 8 MCI, 6 AD patients underwent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers analysis (Aβ1-42, Aβ1-42/1-40, p-tau, t-tau dosage).
Results:
Plasma NfL levels were significantly increased in MCI (22,43 ± 12,74) when compared to SCD patients (12,69 ± 4,84) (p=0,001), but not to AD patients (22,38 ± 3,09). NfL levels were significantly correlated with p-tau (p=0,029) in SCD, with t-tau (p=0,047) and p-tau (p=0,028) in MCI, while no association with CSF biomarkers was found in AD patients.
Conclusions:
Plasma NfL levels increased in MCI compared to SCD, showing a correlation with tau pathology in SCD and MCI patients. Considering the correlation with p-tau, suggestive of AD, plasma NfL levels might be a useful biomarker of neurodegeneration in prodromal phases of AD.