A ground-breaking new blood test which promises faster identification of neurodegeneration and brain injury has been launched.
The new Neurofilament Light Chain (NfL) blood test aims to allow doctors to identify and verify signs of neurodegenerative disease, enabling physicians to provide a more effective and efficient path to diagnosis and treatment for patients.
Elevated NfL levels signal neuronal injury, whether from diseases like multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, or from brain injury, such as with concussion.
The test has been developed by life sciences firm Labcorp.
Dr Joseph Volpe, neurology business segment and discipline director at the company, said: “Importantly, NfL isn’t specific to one disease, but it is highly specific to neuronal damage from a wide variety of causes, from Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis to concussion and physical injury.
“This test will be impactful in helping many patients. Serial use of NfL testing can help doctors to follow trends that indicate the effectiveness of medicines or therapies, or whether there is continued injury or disease progression.”
Neurological conditions present in many forms, and confirmation of disease is often complex and challenging.
When neurons are damaged, proteins called neurofilaments are released and are detectable in blood.
One of three main neurofilament types, NfL has been the most widely studied in research settings, but a reliable NfL test has not been widely available for patient care.
Broad availability to physicians as part of their diagnostic toolbox is expected to provide significant benefits in supporting more effective diagnosis and treatment of many disorders.
The NfL test is performed from a standard blood collection that can be done at a hospital, physician’s office or at any of Labcorp’s patient service centres. Health care providers are already able to order the test.
“NfL is a simple, objective blood test that provides direct evidence of neuronal damage,” says Dr Brian Caveney, chief medical officer and president at Labcorp Diagnostics.
“In making this test widely available, Labcorp is supporting neurologists with a tool they’ve been asking for that enables faster diagnoses, better treatment decisions and improved patient care.
“It’s a major step forward in the monitoring and identification of patients with neuronal injury due to disease or trauma,” he adds.
For more information, visit labcorp.com.
