Research Tracker›Biomarker Atlas›Migraine›Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL)

Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) in Migraine

In Migraine, the direction of change for Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) is inconsistent across studies that used healthy controls as the reference group. The source does not tie this marker to a specific symptom cluster, so it is best read as a biological signal rather than a symptom predictor. The finding is drawn from Carta et al. 2025; it describes group-level differences, not a threshold that classifies an individual.

↕ InconsistentNeurologicalLOINC 94635-5

Summary

Direction in Migraine↕ Inconsistent — reported as both higher and lower across studies, with no consistent direction
CategoryNeurological
Compared againsthealthy controls
Test typeClinical or physiological test
LOINC code94635-5
SourceCarta et al. 2025 — doi:10.1007/s12026-025-09674-x
Condition atlasMigraine Biomarker Atlas

Other conditions where Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) is reported

See the cross-condition hub: Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) across conditions.

Related Neurological markers in Migraine

Full list: Migraine Biomarker Atlas.

Frequently asked questions

Is Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) high or low in Migraine?

Mixed. Some studies report higher and others lower Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) in Migraine compared with healthy controls, so no single direction is established. Source: Carta et al. 2025.

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 Migraine?

No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Migraine. 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 Migraine?

No. The same marker is also reported in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, Epilepsy, 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.

Cite this page

Open Source Medicine Foundation. (2026). Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) in Migraine: direction, evidence and what it means. OSMF Research Tracker. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://research.opensourcemed.info/biomarkers/migraine/neurofilament-light-chain-nfl.html
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Last reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Page generated from migraine.json · Browse: Migraine 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.