Interpretation of axonal damage biomarker Neurofilament Light chain (NfL) concentrations is difficult due to the lack of age-specific and disease-specific reference values. We here developed an interactive interface to support interpretation of NfL results in human body fluids. We used NfL values of 1698 individuals without a neurological disorder, aged 19–85 years, and patients with MS and dementias. Percentile regression estimates per diagnosis populate interactive graphs, alongside NfL background information (available on: https://mybiomarkers.shinyapps.io/Neurofilament). This accessible interface provides reference for interpretation of the individual patient results for clinicians. It showcases an adaptable method to support interpretation of age-dependent biomarkers in neurology.
This project received funding from the Selfridges Group Foundation administered by the Weston Brain Institute and ZonMw Verspreiding en implementatie impuls (VIMP #7330502061).
M. Otte, I. M.W. Verberk, Afina W. Lemstra, Yolande A.L. Pijnenburg, F.H. Bouwman, A.C. van Harten, E.A. J. Willemse, G. Gravesteijn report no disclosures relevant to the manuscript. L. Vermunt is advisory consultant for Roche (fees paid to Amsterdam UMC). J. Killestein has accepted speaker and consulting fees from Merck, Biogen, TEVA, Sanofi, Genzyme, Roche, and Novartis. E.G.B. Vijverberg is advisory consultant for several pharmaceutical companies in the field of neurodegeneration. W.M. van der Flier has (had) a collaboration contract, performed contract research, received grants, was invited speaker, or was consultant for Biogen MA, Boehringer Ingelheim, Life‐MI, AVID, Roche BV, Fujifilm, Combinostics, Eisai, Danone, ADx Neurosciences, Oxford Health Policy Forum CIC, Roche, and WebMD Neurology (fees paid to Amsterdam UMC). P. Scheltens is employed by LSP and Amsterdam UMC. P. Scheltens has received consultancy fees (paid to Amsterdam UMC) from AC Immune, Brainstorm Cell, EIP, ImmunoBrain Checkpoint, Genentech, Novartis, Novo Nordisk. He is PI of studies with AC Immune, FUJI‐film/Toyama, UCB, and Vivoryon (fees paid to Amsterdam UMC). C.E. Teunissen CT has a collaboration contract with ADx Neurosciences, performed contract research or received grants from Probiodrug, AC Immune, Biogen‐Esai, CogRx, Toyama, Janssen prevention center, Boehringer, AxonNeurosciences, Fujirebio, EIP farma, PeopleBio, and Roche (fees paid to Amsterdam UMC).