Neurofilament light chains are a subunit of the neurofilament, which in this case can be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of diseased patients. It is known that there is an exchange of neurofilament light chains across the blood-brain barrier, which allows analysis of neurofilament concentration in the blood of patients. The new analytical technique - single molecule array (SIMOA) technology - allows detection of even the smallest amounts of neurofilament in blood. Measurement and assessment of neurofilament light chains in blood can therefore provide a measure of damage to axons in the central nervous system.
The Neuroimmunological Laboratory at the Center of Clinical Neuroscience at University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden offers the determination of neurofilament light chain levels. The analysis is performed on serum samples (9 ml tubes) from patients. Alternatively, analysis can be performed on EDTA plasma (9 ml tubes) or cerebrospinal fluid (4-5 ml).
Currently, the determination of neurofilaments is not part of the service catalog covered by health insurance. Therefore, it is possible that the analysis of the neurofilament concentration is not reimbursed by the health insurance.
