Summary
| Direction in PACVS | ↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Functional |
| Also described as | Axonal damage |
| Compared against | HC (healthy controls) |
| Associated symptoms | Elevated sNfL in >30% of PACVS registry cohort |
| Test type | Clinical or physiological test |
| LOINC code | 94635-5 |
| Source | Mundorf et al. 2024 — doi:10.3390/vaccines12070790 |
| Condition atlas | PACVS 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 Multiple Sclerosis — ↑ elevated vs MS relapse/disease activity vs healthy
See the cross-condition hub: Neurofilament light chain (NfL) across conditions.
Trials, interventions and tests
Commercial test availability
Neurofilament light chain (NfL) — specialty laboratory test. Growing specialty/neurology send-out; check local lab menus.
Links are for reference only; availability, specimen requirements and coverage vary by location.
Related Functional markers in PACVS
- PAC-19QoL score ↓
- Chester Step Test (VO₂ proxy) ↓
- Exertional SpO₂ nadir ↓
- 6-minute walk distance ↓
- Orthostatic heart rate increment ↑
- Salivary nitric oxide ↓
- Heart rate variability (HRV) ↓
Full list: PACVS Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Neurofilament light chain (NfL) high or low in PACVS?
Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher Neurofilament light chain (NfL) in PACVS than in healthy controls. Source: Mundorf et al. 2024.
What symptoms is Neurofilament light chain (NfL) associated with in PACVS?
The cited literature associates this marker with Elevated sNfL in >30% of PACVS registry cohort. 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. Commercial laboratories such as Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp list an orderable assay.
Is one abnormal Neurofilament light chain (NfL) result diagnostic of PACVS?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of PACVS. 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 PACVS?
No. The same marker is also reported in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, Long COVID, ME/CFS, Multiple Sclerosis 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: 2026-06-30 · Page generated from pacvs.json · Browse: PACVS 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.