Changes in NfL Plasma Levels and Association with Cognitive and Imaging Markers of Alzheimer’s Disease

INTRODUCTION: We assessed the association of plasma neurofilament light chain (pNfL) with cognitive decline and neuroimaging markers, and investigated its potential relationship with the clinical progression to dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD).METHODS: Individuals had evidence of amyloid beta accumulation. Linear and beta-regression models were developed to consider: i) the association between pNfL and cognition, ii) the association between the rate of change (ROC) of pNfL and that of imaging markers, iii) the temporal dynamics of pNfL before and after cognitive impairment as assessed by the Clinical Dementia Rating.RESULTS: Higher levels of pNfL were associated with declining cognition. The ROC of pNfL was associated with the ROC of ventricular, hippocampal and whole brain volumes, but not with PET amyloid. pNfL levels did not reflect the clinical progression of AD.DISCUSSION: pNfL is associated with cognitive decline and brain imaging markers. However, it is not specific to AD clinical diagnosis.