Plasma Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP)
Type III intermediate filament protein expressed predominantly in the cytoskeletal framework of mature astrocytes in the CNS.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference Rangespg/mL
Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.
Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.
<120 pg/mL (age-dependent)
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
<75 pg/mL
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Released into bloodstream upon astrocytic activation (reactive astrogliosis) in response to amyloid plaques, trauma, or blood-brain barrier injury.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (GFAP High)
- •Reactive astrogliosis in early Alzheimer disease
- •Acute intracranial traumatic hemorrhage post-head injury
- •Glioblastoma and astrocytic neoplasms
- •Neuromyelitis optica
Low Levels (GFAP Low)
- •Quiescent, non-reactive astrocytic homeostasis (<75 pg/mL)
- •Intact blood-brain barrier
Technical Reference & Deep Dive
Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup
Pre-Analytical Considerations:
Specimen collection should follow standardized phlebotomy protocols. Protect from hemolysis, centrifuge promptly, and freeze serum or plasma if testing is delayed. Patient should be in a resting, fasting state where indicated.
Reflexive Testing Protocol:
- Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker quantification for GFAP
- Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to reactive astrogliosis & bbb disruption
- Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Plasma Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 34190124
- [2]GFAP Dynamics in Human Longevity and Precision Medicine - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35422901
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Plasma Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) into overall healthspan optimization.