Serum Neurofilament Light Chain and Inflammatory Cytokines as Biomarkers for Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To investigate the association between serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels, inflammatory cytokines, and cognitive function to assess their utility in the early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 157 community-dwelling individuals aged 55 years and above, categorized into healthy controls, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and probable AD. Serum levels of NfL, inflammatory cytokines, and AD pathology markers were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Correlations between these biomarkers and cognitive function were analyzed, for the potential of serum NfL in recognizing MCI. Results: Serum NfL levels were significantly elevated in MCI and probable AD groups compared to healthy controls. Positive correlations were found between serum NfL and inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and Aβ40. Combining serum NfL with p-tau217 and the Boston Naming Test significantly enhanced the predictive accuracy for MCI. However, combining serum NfL with inflammatory markers did not improve MCI prediction accuracy. Conclusions: Elevated serum NfL is associated with cognitive impairment and inflammatory markers, suggesting its potential as a peripheral blood biomarker for early AD detection. The combination of serum NfL with p-tau217 and cognitive tests could offer a more accurate prediction of MCI, providing new insights for AD treatment strategies.