Meta-analyses of individual patient data include values. 4,081 blood neurofilament light chain values from 2,872 participants were used to assess its role in the diagnosis and prognosis of ischemic stroke.
Key findings
- NfL levels increase over time after ischemic stroke.
- It separated patients from healthy subjects to a high degree, but moderately separated them from TIAs.
- NfL was independently associated with functional outcomes and mortality at 3 months.
Why this matters globally
Combining patient-level data from multiple countries strengthens the evidence base on a biomarker that may enhance the evaluation of stroke patients.
Thai researcher contribution
Researchers affiliated with Thailand contributed data and analysis to an international network including 18 published studies and 3 unpublished cohorts.
Limitations to consider
There are also differences between testing methods and timing of blood collection, and NfL is not specific to stroke. Therefore, it is not yet a standalone diagnostic tool.