Summary
| Direction in Epilepsy | ↕ Inconsistent — reported as both higher and lower across studies, with no consistent direction |
|---|---|
| Category | Neurological |
| Compared against | patients with idiopathic epilepsy (IE) |
| Associated symptoms | structural brain diseases (MUE, hydrocephalus, brain tumors) vs IE |
| Test type | Clinical or physiological test |
| LOINC code | 94635-5 |
| Source | Sung et al. 2024 — doi:10.1111/jvim.17110 |
| Condition atlas | Epilepsy Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) is reported
- Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias — ↑ elevated vs AD vs healthy/non-AD (core CSF biomarker)
- 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 Migraine — ↕ inconsistent vs healthy controls
- 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 Epilepsy
Full list: Epilepsy Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) high or low in Epilepsy?
Mixed. Some studies report higher and others lower Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) in Epilepsy compared with patients with idiopathic epilepsy (IE), so no single direction is established. Source: Sung et al. 2024.
What symptoms is Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) associated with in Epilepsy?
The cited literature associates this marker with structural brain diseases (MUE, hydrocephalus, brain tumors) vs IE. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
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 Epilepsy?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Epilepsy. 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 Epilepsy?
No. The same marker is also reported in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, Long COVID, ME/CFS, Migraine, 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: 2026-10-08 · Page generated from epilepsy.json · Browse: Epilepsy 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.