Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40632270›Full record

ArticleJournal of neurology2025

Clinical application of age-derived cut-offs for plasma neurofilament light chain in multiple sclerosis.

Valerio Nicolella, Marco Varelli, Stefania Fasano, Rosa Sirica, Carmela Polito, Aniello Saviano, Mariano Fiorenza, Federica Novarella, Davide Ranucci, Antonio Carotenuto and 6 more

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Journal of neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Real-world Roche ElecsysJournal of neurology · 2026
    Article
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Valerio NicolellaDepartment of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Marco VarelliIstituto Diagnostico Varelli, Naples, Italy.
Stefania FasanoIstituto Diagnostico Varelli, Naples, Italy.
Rosa SiricaDepartment of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Carmela PolitoDepartment of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Aniello SavianoDepartment of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Mariano FiorenzaDepartment of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Federica NovarellaDepartment of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Davide RanucciDepartment of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Antonio CarotenutoDepartment of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Maria PetraccaDepartment of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Roberta LanzilloDepartment of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Vincenzo Brescia MorraDepartment of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Giuseppe CastaldoDepartment of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Daniela Terracciano *Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Marcello Moccia *Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Policlinico Federico II University Hospital, Naples, Italy. marcello.moccia@unina.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2613-3090

Funding

Campania Region NeuroDiaTE Project CUP E65E24002260002MUR PNRR Extended Partnership DHEAL-COM no. PNC-E3- 2022-23683267MUR PNRR Extended Partnership MNESYS no. PE00000006
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveClinical use of neurofilament light chain (NfL) requires cut-off values that reflect disease status independently of confounding factors, such as age, hemodilution, and cardiovascular risk factors. We compared the performance of different previously suggested cut-offs in separating MS cases and controls, and in identifying different MS clinical features, across age groups.

methodsIn this cross-sectional study, we included people with MS (n = 312) and age-, sex-, and eGFR-matched controls (n = 236). For MS cases, we collected descriptor of disease progression (relapsing or progressive), EDSS, and evidence of disease activity in the previous year (including relapses, active MRI, and EDSS progression) and disease duration. Plasma NfL (pNfL) was evaluated using Lumipulse™ fully automated chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. We then classified both MS cases and controls based on pNfL suggested by Simrèn et al. (specific for different age ranges), Vermunt et al. (age-derived percentiles), and Benkert et al. (age- and BMI-derived percentiles).

resultsIn individuals aged 18-50 years, the three suggested pNfL cut-offs provided high specificity (> 85%) in discriminating MS cases and controls (AUC = 0.73; 95%CI = 0.67, 0.78; p = 0.028). In the MS population, the three suggested pNfL cut-offs provided high sensitivity (> 75%) in discriminating relapsing and progressive cases (AUC = 0.70; 95%CI = 0.63, 0.77; p = 0.034), patients with EDSS ≥ 4.0 and EDSS < 4.0 (AUC = 0.69; 95%CI = 0.63, 0.76; p = 0.032), and patients with EDSS ≥ 6.0 and EDSS < 6.0 (AUC = 0.70; 95%CI = 0.62, 0.78; p = 0.040). The three suggested pNfL cut-offs provided lower accuracy in age groups older than 50 years.

conclusionsPreviously validated cut-offs provided similar sensitivity and specificity in separating MS cases and controls and in identifying MS clinical features across different age groups, with the best performance before 50 years.

Indexed as

Multiple SclerosisNeurofilament ProteinsAdolescentAdultAge FactorsBiomarkersCross-Sectional StudiesDisease ProgressionFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSensitivity and SpecificityYoung AdultBiomarkersneurofilament protein LNeurofilament ProteinsCut-offMultiple sclerosisNeurofilamentPlasma

Identifiers

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.