Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Dynamic Visual Tests to Identify and Quantify Visual Damage and Repair Following Demyelination in Optic Neuritis Patients
Published on: April 14, 2014
Temporal profile of serum neurofilament light in multiple sclerosis: Implications for patient monitoring
Peter A Calabresi1, Douglas L Arnold2, Dipen Sangurdekar3
1Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Objective:
To understand how longitudinal serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) patterns can inform its use as a prognostic biomarker in multiple sclerosis (MS) and evaluate whether sNfL reflects MS disease activity and disease-modifying therapy usage.
Methods:
This was a post hoc analysis of longitudinal data and samples from the ADVANCE trial (NCT00906399) of patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). sNfL was measured every 3 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for 4 years. Regression models explored how sNfL data predicted 4-year values of brain volume, expanded disability status scale score, and T2 lesions. sNfL levels were assessed in those receiving placebo, peginterferon beta-1a, and those with disease activity.
Results:
Baseline sNfL was a predictor of 4-year brain atrophy and development of new T2 lesions. Clinical (p = 0.02) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (p < 0.01) outcomes improved in those receiving peginterferon beta-1a whose sNfL decreased to <16 pg/mL after 12 months versus those whose sNfL remained ⩾16 pg/mL. Mean sNfL levels decreased in peginterferon beta-1a-treated patients and increased in placebo-treated patients (-9.5% vs. 6.8%; p < 0.01). sNfL was higher and more variable in patients with evidence of active MS.
Conclusion:
These data support sNfL as a prognostic and disease-monitoring biomarker for RRMS.
