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Neurofilaments in neurologic disease
Christina Mousele1, David Holden2, Sharmilee Gnanapavan3
1Barts Health NHS Trust.
Advances in Clinical Chemistry
|August 24, 2024
Summary
Neurofilaments (NFs) are key markers of nerve damage. Measuring NFs in blood and spinal fluid helps track neurological disease progression and treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomarker Discovery
- Neurobiology
Background:
- Neurofilaments (NFs) are crucial cytoskeletal proteins in neurons.
- Neuroaxonal damage is a primary cause of permanent disability in neurological disorders.
- Accurate monitoring of neuroaxonal damage is vital for disease management and therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of neurofilaments as biomarkers for neuronal injury.
- To provide a comprehensive overview of neurofilament structure, function, and clinical applications.
- To highlight the potential of neurofilaments in assessing neurological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of neurofilament structure and cellular functions.
- Analysis of neurofilament levels in cerebrospinal fluid and blood.
- Discussion of novel high-sensitivity assays for neurofilament measurement.
Main Results:
- Neurofilament levels correlate with the extent of neuroaxonal damage.
- Increased neurofilament levels are observed in various neurological diseases.
- Advanced assays enable reliable quantification in bodily fluids.
Conclusions:
- Neurofilaments serve as universal biomarkers for neuronal injury.
- Longitudinal monitoring of neurofilaments aids in evaluating disease progression and treatment efficacy.
- Neurofilaments offer prognostic insights and potential for novel therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
Alzheimer’s diseaseAmyotrophic lateral sclerosisBiomarkersCharcot-Marie-ToothCytoskeletalFrontotemporal dementiaHuntington’s diseaseInflammatory polyneuropathiesIntermediate filamentsMultiple sclerosisNeurofilamentsNeuronal injuryParkinson’s diseaseMore Related Videos
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