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Exploring the correlation between paediatric narcolepsy and serum neurofilament light chain levels: An exploratory
Weifeng Li1, Meijun Sun1, Chen Chen2
1Department of Neurology, Rongcheng People's Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Weihai, Shandong, China.
Summary
Serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels are elevated in children with narcolepsy and correlate with symptom severity. Higher NfL may serve as a biomarker for paediatric narcolepsy, though causation requires further study.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomarkers
- Paediatric Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a potential biomarker for neuroaxonal damage.
- Paediatric narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting sleep-wake cycles.
- Understanding biomarkers in paediatric narcolepsy is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess serum NfL levels in paediatric narcolepsy patients.
- To investigate the correlation between NfL levels and narcolepsy symptom severity, sleep quality, and psychological comorbidities.
- To evaluate NfL as a potential diagnostic marker for paediatric narcolepsy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 98 paediatric narcolepsy cases and 100 age/gender-matched controls.
- Serum NfL levels were measured and compared between groups.
- Validated scales (ESS, PSQI, HAMD-24, HAMA-14) assessed symptom severity, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression.
Main Results:
- Paediatric narcolepsy patients exhibited significantly higher serum NfL levels than controls (P < 0.05).
- Serum NfL levels positively correlated with excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS scores, P < 0.001).
- Serum NfL demonstrated high diagnostic precision for paediatric narcolepsy (ROC area = 0.938, P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum NfL levels are associated with paediatric narcolepsy and symptom severity.
- Serum NfL shows promise as a diagnostic biomarker in paediatric narcolepsy.
- Further research with larger cohorts is needed to elucidate the causative role of NfL.
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