A study on structural imaging changes and serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in individuals with white matter hyperintensities, combining imaging techniques with biomarker analysis
Objective: To elucidate the association between serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels and structural brain alterations in individuals exhibiting white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), as well as to investigate the potential utility of serum NfL as a predictive biomarker for the progression of...
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | IBRO Neuroscience Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667242125000739 |
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| author | Meini Wu Zihao Li Yuhang Ren Siou Li Weina Zhao Jian Xing Jiangnan Yi Fengze Zhao Changhao Yin |
| author_facet | Meini Wu Zihao Li Yuhang Ren Siou Li Weina Zhao Jian Xing Jiangnan Yi Fengze Zhao Changhao Yin |
| author_sort | Meini Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective: To elucidate the association between serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels and structural brain alterations in individuals exhibiting white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), as well as to investigate the potential utility of serum NfL as a predictive biomarker for the progression of WMH. Methods: A total of 151 subjects were included in the study, among whom 117 demonstrated the presence of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We assessed the relationship between changes in serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels and alterations in brain volume across three distinct groups. Additionally, we analyzed trends in brain structural changes and serum NfL level variations within the population exhibiting varying severities of WMHs, exploring the correlation between these two variables. Results: Serum NfL levels were significantly elevated in individuals with WMHs compared to those with none-low WMHs (p < 0.001). Furthermore, higher serum NfL levels were observed in individuals with severe-moderate WMHs compared to those with mild WMHs (p < 0.01). Within the mild WMHs group, serum NfL levels exhibited a negative correlation with gray matter volume. In contrast, within the severe to moderate WMHs group, serum NfL levels were negatively correlated with both gray matter volume (GMV) and white matter volume (WMV). Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis indicated the presence of gray matter atrophy in several brain regions when comparing the none-low WMHs group with the severe to moderate WMHs group, as well as when comparing the mild WMHs group with the severe-moderate WMHs group. However, no significant differences were observed in the comparison between the none to low WMHs group and the mild WMHs group. Conclusion: Serum NfL levels have been observed to rise in conjunction with the increasing severity of WMH and show a correlation with gray matter atrophy in individuals exhibiting WMHs. These levels are anticipated to serve as a biological marker for predicting the progression of WMH. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d7dab81fcf364d79a18f474556870ff6 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2667-2421 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | IBRO Neuroscience Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-d7dab81fcf364d79a18f474556870ff62025-08-20T03:20:56ZengElsevierIBRO Neuroscience Reports2667-24212025-06-011879480210.1016/j.ibneur.2025.05.008A study on structural imaging changes and serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in individuals with white matter hyperintensities, combining imaging techniques with biomarker analysisMeini Wu0Zihao Li1Yuhang Ren2Siou Li3Weina Zhao4Jian Xing5Jiangnan Yi6Fengze Zhao7Changhao Yin8Department of Neurology, Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China; Department of Neurology, Taizhou Second People's Hospital, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China; Department of Neurology, Taizhou Second People's Hospital, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China; Department of Endocrinology, Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China; Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Ischemic Stroke Prevention and Treatment, Mudanjiang, ChinaHeilongjiang Key Laboratory of Ischemic Stroke Prevention and Treatment, Mudanjiang, China; Department of Imaging, Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China; Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Ischemic Stroke Prevention and Treatment, Mudanjiang, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China; Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Ischemic Stroke Prevention and Treatment, Mudanjiang, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang, China; Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Ischemic Stroke Prevention and Treatment, Mudanjiang, China; Correspondence to: Department of Neurology, Hongqi Hospital Affiliated to Mudanjiang Medical University, Mudanjiang 157011, China.Objective: To elucidate the association between serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels and structural brain alterations in individuals exhibiting white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), as well as to investigate the potential utility of serum NfL as a predictive biomarker for the progression of WMH. Methods: A total of 151 subjects were included in the study, among whom 117 demonstrated the presence of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We assessed the relationship between changes in serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels and alterations in brain volume across three distinct groups. Additionally, we analyzed trends in brain structural changes and serum NfL level variations within the population exhibiting varying severities of WMHs, exploring the correlation between these two variables. Results: Serum NfL levels were significantly elevated in individuals with WMHs compared to those with none-low WMHs (p < 0.001). Furthermore, higher serum NfL levels were observed in individuals with severe-moderate WMHs compared to those with mild WMHs (p < 0.01). Within the mild WMHs group, serum NfL levels exhibited a negative correlation with gray matter volume. In contrast, within the severe to moderate WMHs group, serum NfL levels were negatively correlated with both gray matter volume (GMV) and white matter volume (WMV). Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis indicated the presence of gray matter atrophy in several brain regions when comparing the none-low WMHs group with the severe to moderate WMHs group, as well as when comparing the mild WMHs group with the severe-moderate WMHs group. However, no significant differences were observed in the comparison between the none to low WMHs group and the mild WMHs group. Conclusion: Serum NfL levels have been observed to rise in conjunction with the increasing severity of WMH and show a correlation with gray matter atrophy in individuals exhibiting WMHs. These levels are anticipated to serve as a biological marker for predicting the progression of WMH.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667242125000739Serum neurofilament light chainWhite matter hyperintensitiesVoxel-basedMorphometryCerebral small vessel diseaseStructural magnetic resonance imagin |
| spellingShingle | Meini Wu Zihao Li Yuhang Ren Siou Li Weina Zhao Jian Xing Jiangnan Yi Fengze Zhao Changhao Yin A study on structural imaging changes and serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in individuals with white matter hyperintensities, combining imaging techniques with biomarker analysis IBRO Neuroscience Reports Serum neurofilament light chain White matter hyperintensities Voxel-based Morphometry Cerebral small vessel disease Structural magnetic resonance imagin |
| title | A study on structural imaging changes and serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in individuals with white matter hyperintensities, combining imaging techniques with biomarker analysis |
| title_full | A study on structural imaging changes and serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in individuals with white matter hyperintensities, combining imaging techniques with biomarker analysis |
| title_fullStr | A study on structural imaging changes and serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in individuals with white matter hyperintensities, combining imaging techniques with biomarker analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | A study on structural imaging changes and serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in individuals with white matter hyperintensities, combining imaging techniques with biomarker analysis |
| title_short | A study on structural imaging changes and serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in individuals with white matter hyperintensities, combining imaging techniques with biomarker analysis |
| title_sort | study on structural imaging changes and serum neurofilament light chain nfl levels in individuals with white matter hyperintensities combining imaging techniques with biomarker analysis |
| topic | Serum neurofilament light chain White matter hyperintensities Voxel-based Morphometry Cerebral small vessel disease Structural magnetic resonance imagin |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667242125000739 |
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