Serum NfL Testing Information
Testing for serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) is available now to assist doctors and their patients with monitoring and treating their MS. An easy blood test can determine the amount of sNfL present, indicating how much disease activity is occurring.
How does this work? A protein known as neurofilament light chain (NfL) structurally supports the nerves of the central nervous system (CNS). When damage to these nerves occurs, these proteins break away from the nerves and enter the blood, also referred to as “serum.”
The amount of serum NfL, or “sNfL” found in one’s blood, indicates how much damage is currently occurring, allowing the neurologist to monitor disease activity. Repeated testing over time allows the MS specialist to determine the effectiveness of one’s treatment regimen and if a change is indicated.
Measuring sNfL is proving to be an important biomarker for MS, and in December 2023, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) published CMSC Best Practices for the Use of Serum Neurofilament in MS Management.
As the guide is written for healthcare professionals, advocates for the MS community developed an accompanying guide for individuals living with MS. This reader-friendly document is linked in the “Biomarkers” section of MSAA’s MS Overview: Diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis and Evaluating Disease Activity page.