Summary
| Direction in Multiple Sclerosis | ↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Neurological |
| Compared against | MS relapse/disease activity vs healthy |
| Test type | Clinical or physiological test |
| LOINC code | 94635-5 |
| Source | Chitnis et al. 2025 — doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(25)00249-2 |
| Condition atlas | Multiple Sclerosis 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 PACVS — ↑ elevated vs HC
See the cross-condition hub: Neurofilament light chain (NfL) across conditions.
Related Neurological markers in Multiple Sclerosis
Full list: Multiple Sclerosis Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) high or low in Multiple Sclerosis?
Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) in Multiple Sclerosis than in the reference group of the cited comparison (MS relapse/disease activity vs healthy). Source: Chitnis 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 Multiple Sclerosis?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Multiple Sclerosis. 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 Multiple Sclerosis?
No. The same marker is also reported in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, Long COVID, ME/CFS, 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 multiple-sclerosis.json · Browse: Multiple Sclerosis 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.