Open AccessCerebrospinal fluid and plasma neurofilament light relate to abnormal cognition
Author(s) -
Osborn Katie E.,
Khan Omair A.,
Kresge Hailey A.,
Bown Corey W.,
Liu Dandan,
Moore Elizabeth E.,
Gifford Katherine A.,
Acosta Lealani Mae Y.,
Bell Susan P.,
Hohman Timothy J.,
Blennow Kaj,
Zetterberg Henrik,
Jefferson Angela L.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia: diagnosis, assessment and disease monitoring
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.497
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2352-8729
DOI - 10.1016/j.dadm.2019.08.008
Subject(s) - cognition , neuropsychology , cerebrospinal fluid , dementia , psychology , biomarker , apolipoprotein e , medicine , audiology , clinical psychology , pathology , neuroscience , disease , biology , biochemistry
Neuroaxonal damage may contribute to cognitive changes preceding clinical dementia. Accessible biomarkers are critical for detecting such damage. Methods Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament light (NFL) were related to neuropsychological performance among Vanderbilt Memory & Aging Project participants (plasma n = 333, 73 ± 7 years; CSF n = 149, 72 ± 6 years) ranging from normal cognition (NC) to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Models adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, apolipoprotein E ε4 carriership, and Framingham Stroke Risk Profile. Results Plasma NFL was related to all domains ( P values ≤ .008) except processing speed ( P values ≥ .09). CSF NFL was related to memory and language ( P values ≤ .04). Interactions with cognitive diagnosis revealed widespread plasma associations, particularly in MCI participants, which were further supported in head‐to‐head comparison models. Discussion Plasma and CSF NFL (reflecting neuroaxonal injury) relate to cognition among non‐demented older adults albeit with small to medium effects. Plasma NFL shows particular promise as an accessible biomarker with relevance to cognition in MCI.