Movement Disorders : Official Journal Of The Movement Disorder Society | August 15, 2020

Mollenhauer B, Dakna M, Kruse N, Galasko D, Foroud T, Zetterberg H, Schade S, Gera RG, Wang W, Gao F, Frasier M, Chahine LM, Coffey CS, Singleton AB, Simuni T, Weintraub D, Seibyl J, Toga AW, Tanner CM, Kieburtz K, Marek K, Siderowf A, Cedarbaum JM, Hutten SJ, Trenkwalder C and Graham D.

Mov Disord. 2020 Aug 15.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.28206

Abstract

Background

The objective of this study was to assess neurofilament light chain as a Parkinson’s disease biomarker.

Methods

We quantified neurofilament light chain in 2 independent cohorts: (1) longitudinal cerebrospinal fluid samples from the longitudinal de novo Parkinson’s disease cohort and (2) a large longitudinal cohort with serum samples from Parkinson’s disease, other cognate/neurodegenerative disorders, healthy controls, prodromal conditions, and mutation carriers.

Results

In the Parkinson’s Progression Marker Initiative cohort, mean baseline serum neurofilament light chain was higher in Parkinson’s disease patients (13 ± 7.2 pg/mL) than in controls (12 ± 6.7 pg/mL), P = 0.0336. Serum neurofilament light chain increased longitudinally in Parkinson’s disease patients versus controls (P < 0.01). Motor scores were positively associated with neurofilament light chain, whereas some cognitive scores showed a negative association.

Conclusions

Neurofilament light chain in serum samples is increased in Parkinson’s disease patients versus healthy controls, increases over time and with age, and correlates with clinical measures of Parkinson’s disease severity. Although the specificity of neurofilament light chain for Parkinson’s disease is low, it is the first blood‐based biomarker candidate that could support disease stratification of Parkinson’s disease versus other cognate/neurodegenerative disorders, track clinical progression, and possibly assess responsiveness to neuroprotective treatments. However, use of neurofilament light chain as a biomarker of response to neuroprotective interventions remains to be assessed. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.