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Beydoun MA, Noren Hooten N, Georgescu MF, Beydoun HA, Eid SM, Fanelli-Kuczmarski MT, Evans MK, Zonderman AB. Serum neurofilament light chain as a prognostic marker of all-cause mortality in a national sample of US adults. Eur J Epidemiol 2024; 39:795-809. [PMID: 38771439 PMCID: PMC11343803 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-024-01131-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a neuron-specific structural protein released into the extracellular space, including body fluids, upon neuroaxonal damage. Despite evidence of a link in neurological disorders, few studies have examined the association of serum NfL with mortality in population-based studies. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey were utilized including 2,071 Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adult participants and adult participants of other ethnic groups (20-85 years) with serum NfL measurements who were followed for ≤ 6 years till 2019. We tested the association of serum NfL with mortality in the overall population and stratified by sex with the addition of potential interactive and mediating effects of cardio-metabolic risk factors and nutritional biomarkers. Elevated serum NfL levels (above median group) were associated with mortality risk compared to the below median NfL group in the overall sample (P = 0.010), with trends observed within each sex group (P < 0.10). When examining Loge NfL as a continuum, one standard deviation of Loge NfL was associated with an increased mortality risk (HR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.60-2.20, P < 0.001) in the reduced model adjusted for age, sex, race, and poverty income ratio; a finding only slightly attenuated with the adjustment of lifestyle and health-related factors. Four-way decomposition indicated that there was, among others, mediated interaction between NfL and HbA1c and a pure inconsistent mediation with 25(OH)D3 in predicting all-cause mortality, in models adjusted for all other covariates. Furthermore, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio interacted synergistically with NfL in relation to mortality risk both on the additive and multiplicative scales. These data indicate that elevated serum NfL levels were associated with all-cause mortality in a nationally representative sample of US adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- May A Beydoun
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- NIH Biomedical Research Center, National Institute on Aging, IRP, 251 Bayview Blvd., Suite 100, Room #: 04B118, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
| | - Nicole Noren Hooten
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael F Georgescu
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hind A Beydoun
- Department of Research Programs, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, VA, USA
| | - Shaker M Eid
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Michele K Evans
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alan B Zonderman
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, NIA/NIH/IRP, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Wurm R, Prausmüller S, Ponleitner M, Spinka G, Weidenhammer A, Arfsten H, Heitzinger G, Panagiotides NG, Strunk G, Bartko P, Goliasch G, Stögmann E, Hengstenberg C, Hülsmann M, Pavo N. Serum Markers of Neurodegeneration Are Strongly Linked to Heart Failure Severity and Outcome. JACC. HEART FAILURE 2024; 12:1073-1085. [PMID: 38839151 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchf.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment is prevalent in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), affecting self-care and outcomes. Novel blood-based biomarkers have emerged as potential diagnostic tools for neurodegeneration. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess neurodegeneration in HFrEF by measuring neurofilament light chain (NfL), total tau (t-tau), amyloid beta 40 (Aβ40), and amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42) in a large, well-characterized cohort. METHODS The study included 470 patients with HFrEF from a biobank-linked prospective registry at the Medical University of Vienna. High-sensitivity single-molecule assays were used for measurement. Unplanned heart failure (HF) hospitalization and all-cause death were recorded as outcome parameters. RESULTS All markers, but not the Aβ42:Aβ40 ratio, correlated with HF severity, ie, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and NYHA functional class, and comorbidity burden and were significantly associated with all-cause death and HF hospitalization (crude HR: all-cause death: NfL: 4.44 [95% CI: 3.02-6.53], t-tau: 5.04 [95% CI: 2.97-8.58], Aβ40: 3.90 [95% CI: 2.27-6.72], and Aβ42: 5.14 [95% CI: 2.84-9.32]; HF hospitalization: NfL: 2.48 [95% CI: 1.60-3.85], t-tau: 3.44 [95% CI: 1.95-6.04], Aβ40: 3.13 [95% CI: 1.84-5.34], and Aβ42: 3.48 [95% CI: 1.93-6.27]; P < 0.001 for all). These associations remained statistically significant after multivariate adjustment including N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. The discriminatory accuracy of NfL in predicting all-cause mortality was comparable to the well-established risk marker N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (C-index: 0.70 vs 0.72; P = 0.225), whereas the C-indices of t-tau, Aβ40, Aβ42, and the Aβ42:Aβ40 ratio were significantly lower (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS Neurodegeneration is directly interwoven with the progression of HF. Biomarkers of neurodegeneration, particularly NfL, may help identify patients potentially profiting from a comprehensive neurological work-up. Further research is necessary to test whether early diagnosis or optimized HFrEF treatment can preserve cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Wurm
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Suriya Prausmüller
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Ponleitner
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Spinka
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annika Weidenhammer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Henrike Arfsten
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Heitzinger
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Noel Gilian Panagiotides
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Philipp Bartko
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Goliasch
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Stögmann
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Hengstenberg
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Hülsmann
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Noemi Pavo
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Chen X, Lin Y, Wei K. Elevated Serum Neurofilament Light Chain Levels Are Associated With All-Cause Mortality: Evidence From National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2023; 78:2382-2386. [PMID: 36811342 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glad058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have reported the association between blood neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels and all-cause mortality. However, the generalizability of these findings in general adults remains unclear. The study aimed to examine the association between serum NfL and all-cause mortality in a nationally representative population. METHODS Longitudinal data were obtained from 2 071 participants aged 20-75 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-14 cycle. Serum NfL levels were measured by using a novel, high-throughput acridinium-ester immunoassay. Kaplan-Meier curves, multivariate Cox regression analysis, and restricted cubic spline regression were employed to investigate the association between serum NfL and all-cause mortality. RESULTS Over a median follow-up of 73 (interquartile range = 12) months, 85 (3.50%) participants died. After adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle variables, comorbidity, body mass index, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, elevated serum NfL levels were still significantly associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio = 2.45, 95% confidence interval = 1.89-3.18 for per lnNfL increase) in a linear manner. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that circulating levels of NfL may serve as a biomarker of mortality risk in a nationally representative population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jing'an District Central Hospital of Shanghai, Jing'an Branch Affiliated to Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jing'an District Central Hospital of Shanghai, Jing'an Branch Affiliated to Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
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Ciardullo S, Muraca E, Bianconi E, Ronchetti C, Cannistraci R, Rossi L, Perra S, Zerbini F, Perseghin G. Serum neurofilament light chain levels are associated with all-cause mortality in the general US population. J Neurol 2023:10.1007/s00415-023-11739-6. [PMID: 37085649 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11739-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
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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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Ciardullo
- Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico di Monza, Via Modigliani 10, 20900, Monza, MB, Italy.
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
| | - Emanuele Muraca
- Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico di Monza, Via Modigliani 10, 20900, Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Eleonora Bianconi
- Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico di Monza, Via Modigliani 10, 20900, Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Celeste Ronchetti
- Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico di Monza, Via Modigliani 10, 20900, Monza, MB, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosa Cannistraci
- Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico di Monza, Via Modigliani 10, 20900, Monza, MB, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Rossi
- Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico di Monza, Via Modigliani 10, 20900, Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Silvia Perra
- Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico di Monza, Via Modigliani 10, 20900, Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Francesca Zerbini
- Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico di Monza, Via Modigliani 10, 20900, Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Gianluca Perseghin
- Department of Medicine and Rehabilitation, Policlinico di Monza, Via Modigliani 10, 20900, Monza, MB, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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Petzold A. The 2022 Lady Estelle Wolfson lectureship on neurofilaments. J Neurochem 2022; 163:179-219. [PMID: 35950263 PMCID: PMC9826399 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Neurofilament proteins (Nf) have been validated and established as a reliable body fluid biomarker for neurodegenerative pathology. This review covers seven Nf isoforms, Nf light (NfL), two splicing variants of Nf medium (NfM), two splicing variants of Nf heavy (NfH),α -internexin (INA) and peripherin (PRPH). The genetic and epigenetic aspects of Nf are discussed as relevant for neurodegenerative diseases and oncology. The comprehensive list of mutations for all Nf isoforms covers Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Charcot-Marie Tooth disease, Spinal muscular atrophy, Parkinson Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Next, emphasis is given to the expanding field of post-translational modifications (PTM) of the Nf amino acid residues. Protein structural aspects are reviewed alongside PTMs causing neurodegenerative pathology and human autoimmunity. Molecular visualisations of NF PTMs, assembly and stoichiometry make use of Alphafold2 modelling. The implications for Nf function on the cellular level and axonal transport are discussed. Neurofilament aggregate formation and proteolytic breakdown are reviewed as relevant for biomarker tests and disease. Likewise, Nf stoichiometry is reviewed with regard to in vitro experiments and as a compensatory mechanism in neurodegeneration. The review of Nf across a spectrum of 87 diseases from all parts of medicine is followed by a critical appraisal of 33 meta-analyses on Nf body fluid levels. The review concludes with considerations for clinical trial design and an outlook for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Petzold
- Department of NeurodegenerationQueen Square Insitute of Neurology, UCLLondonUK
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