Plasma Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL)
Structural intermediate filament protein localized exclusively in the axonal cytoskeleton of central and peripheral neurons.
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.
<12.0 pg/mL (age <60 yrs), <20.0 pg/mL (age >60 yrs)
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
<8.0 pg/mL
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Released into interstitial fluid and blood following mechanical axonal transection, inflammatory demyelination, or neurodegeneration.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (NfL High)
- •Active neuro-axonal destruction (Multiple Sclerosis relapses, ALS, Alzheimer disease)
- •Acute Traumatic Brain Injury (concussion)
- •Cerebral ischemic stroke
- •Peripheral neuropathy
Low Levels (NfL Low)
- •Intact neuronal axonal cytoskeleton (<8.0 pg/mL)
- •Quiescent neurological status
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 NfL
- Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to axonal breakdown & neurodegeneration
- Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Plasma Neurofilament Light Chain - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 34190124
- [2]NfL 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 Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) into overall healthspan optimization.