Summary
| Direction in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias | ↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Neurological |
| Compared against | AD vs healthy/non-AD (core CSF biomarker) |
| Test type | Clinical or physiological test |
| LOINC code | 94635-5 |
| Source | Abukuri et al. 2024 — doi:10.1155/2024/6668159 |
| Condition atlas | Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is reported
- Neurofilament light chain (NfL) in Long COVID — ↑ elevated vs HC
- Neurofilament light chain (NfL) in ME/CFS — ↕ inconsistent vs HC
- Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) in Multiple Sclerosis — ↑ elevated vs MS relapse/disease activity vs healthy
- Neurofilament light chain (NfL) in PACVS — ↑ elevated vs HC
See the cross-condition hub: Neurofilament light chain (NfL) across conditions.
Related Neurological markers in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
Full list: Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) high or low in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias?
Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias than in the reference group of the cited comparison (AD vs healthy/non-AD (core CSF biomarker)). Source: Abukuri et al. 2024.
Which test measures Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL)?
It is measured as a clinical or physiological test. The standard laboratory code is LOINC 94635-5. Many of the cited studies used research-grade assays, so clinical availability may vary.
Is one abnormal Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) result diagnostic of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias. Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
Is Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) specific to Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias?
No. The same marker is also reported in Long COVID, ME/CFS, Multiple Sclerosis, PACVS in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.
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Last reviewed: 2026-07-03 · Page generated from alzheimer-s-disease-and-other-dementias.json · Browse: Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.