A blood test for neurofilament light (NfL) protein helps determine whether multiple sclerosis is at risk of getting worse 2 years before it happens.
- According to the study, multiple sclerosis patients whose blood tests reveal elevated NfL levels could see a worsening of their disability within one to two years.
- The level of NfL in the blood is known to be a biomarker of nerve damage.
- For researchers, monitoring this marker could help better assess the progression of the disease and prevent worsening of symptoms.
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that progressively affects the central nervous system. Around 110,000 people in France are affected by this pathology. It is also the main cause of severe non-traumatic disability in young adults. Symptoms vary greatly from patient to patient ranging from balance problems to muscle weakness, cognitive difficulties (attention, concentration, memory…) vision problems. However, a study, published in the journal JAMA Neurology on November 6, 2023, suggests that more severe symptoms could be significantly delayed or even avoided.
Multiple sclerosis: a link between levels of NFL and worsening disability
The work carried out by researchers from the University of California San Francisco as well as the University Hospital and the University of Basel (Swiss) show that a blood test could help assess the progression of multiple sclerosis. Indeed, patients with high levels of light protein from neurofilaments (NFL)a biomarker of nerve damage, in their blood, were at significant risk of worsening disability one to two years later.
The scientists reached this conclusion after analyzing the records of nearly 1,900 patients with multiple sclerosis over a period of 10 years. In detail, the results showed that high levels of the marker NFL were associated with up to a 91% higher risk of worsening disability with relapse (residual symptoms or return of old symptoms) about a year later. There was up to 49% greater risk of worsening disability without relapse (progression of existing symptoms only) almost two years later.
NfL levels: it could help prevent the disease from getting worse
This discovery supports the important role of light proteins in neurofilaments as an early marker of nerve damage, according to the researchers. “Monitoring levels of NFL may be able to detect disease activity with higher sensitivity than conventional clinical examination or imaging.”explains co-lead author Jens Kuhle who heads the Multiple Sclerosis Center at the University Hospital and University of Basel.
In addition, these results could enable better patient care and help prevent the progression of multiple sclerosis.
“This increase in the rate of NFL Up to two years before signs of disability worsen represents the window where interventions can prevent deterioration.”explains co-author Dr Ahmed Abdelhak from the neurology department of theUCSF in the study release.
The team now plans to examine therapies that can stop disease progression during this time when the rate of NFL is high.
