Study Finds Elevated Blood NfL Levels Tied To Faster Disease Progression, Shorter Survival In Most People With ALS

ALS News Today (7/9, Maia) reports, “Elevated blood levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL), a biomarker of nerve cell damage, are linked to faster disease progression and shorter survival in most people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a new study found.” The “researchers observed that blood NfL levels among patients differed by the type of nerve cells that are damaged and the initial disease manifestations.” The study indicated that “levels were higher in people with typical motor neuron involvement – where nerve cells from the brain and spinal cord both are damaged – and in those first showing so-called bulbar symptoms, such as difficulty eating or speaking.” The findings were published in the European Journal of Neurology.