Neurofilament Light Chain as a Biomarker for Cognitive Decline in Parkinson Disease

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Background: Neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) is a promising biomarker of neurodegeneration.Objectives: To determine whether plasma and CSF NfL (1) associate with motor or cognitive status in Parkinson's disease (PD) and (2) predict future motor or cognitive decline in PD.Methods: Six hundred and fifteen participants with neurodegenerative diseases, including 152 PD and 200 healthy control participants, provided a plasma and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) NfL sample. Diagnostic groups were compared using the Kruskal−Wallis rank test. Within PD, cross‐sectional associations between NfL and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (UPDRS‐III) and Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS‐2) scores were assessed by linear regression; longitudinal analyses were performed using linear mixed‐effects models and Cox regression.Results: Plasma and CSF NfL levels correlated substantially (Spearman r = 0.64, P < 0.001); NfL was highest in neurocognitive disorders. PD participants with high plasma NfL were more likely to develop incident cognitive impairment (HR 5.34, P = 0.005).Conclusions: Plasma NfL is a useful prognostic biomarker for PD, predicting clinical conversion to mild cognitive impairment or dementia. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Funding Information
  • Alzheimer's Association (Biomarkers Across Neurodegenerative Diseases)
  • Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
  • National Institutes of Health (K23 NS11416, P30 AG010124, P50 NS053488, R01 NS115139, T32 NS061779, U19 AG062418)
  • Weston Brain Institute

This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit: