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Published on: February 23, 2024
Evaluating the feasibility of a remote sampling method for neurofilament light chain measurements in Multiple
Panagiotis Gklinos1, Nicola Vickaryous2, Brook Huxford2
1Centre for Preventive Neurology, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London UK; First Neurology Department, Eginition University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Background/Objectives:
Neurofilament light (NfL) is a biomarker of axonal damage, typically measured in CSF or venous blood. There is growing interest in the utility of remote sampling methods however limited studies of feasibility exist.
Methods:
45 people with MS undergoing lumbar puncture were recruited and had at least one sample included. NfL levels from different biofluids and sampling methods were examined at baseline: CSF (n = 43), venous plasma (n = 29) and finger-prick dried plasma spots (fDPS, n = 39). Participants were then asked to self-collect fDPS at two, four and six months after enrolment.
Results:
Levels of NfL were highest in CSF with a geometric mean of 449.78 pg/ml (95% CI 334.25-605.26) compared to plasma, 71.48 pg/ml (95% CI 57.04-89.57) or fDPS 4.02pg/ml (95% CI 3.03-5.36). There was a strong correlation between CSF and venous plasma NfL, (r = 0.78, r2=0.61, p < 0.001); and venous plasma and fDPS NfL, (r = 0.71, r2=0.50, p < 0.005); and a moderate correlation between CSF and fDPS, (r = 0.44, r2=0.20, p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Remote self-collection of fDPS was feasible in our study with NfL levels strongly correlating with plasma while capturing CSF trends. Additionally, NfL remained stable over six months in a clinically stable population, supporting the reliability of the assay.
