Serum neurofilament light chain: a novel biomarker for cardiovascular diseases in individuals without hypertension

Abstract

Serum neurofilament light chain (sNFL) is a biomarker for axonal injury. Previous studies have linked sNFL levels to cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes and hypertension, but its association with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remains unclear. This study aims to explore the association between sNFL and CVD and evaluates its predictive value. Utilizing NHANES 2013–2014 data, this study included 2,035 participants aged ≥ 20 years with measured sNFL quantified using a Siemens immunoassay. CVD was self-reported and included myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease, or angina. Logistic regression models assessed the association between sNFL levels and CVD. The predictive value of sNFL for CVD was evaluated using area under the curve (AUC) and DeLong test. Participants with higher sNFL levels were typically older, male, non-Hispanic white, smokers, and had lower socioeconomic status, higher CVD, hypertension, and diabetes prevalence. Higher sNFL levels were significantly associated with increased odds of CVD (adjusted OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.05–1.88). The association was significant in non-hypertensive individuals (OR = 2.72, 95% CI: 1.61–4.62) but not in hypertensive individuals (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.81–1.56). sNFL addition to traditional risk models improved predictive accuracy, especially in non-hypertensive individuals (AUC from 0.827 to 0.856). sNFL levels are significantly associated with CVD in the general population, with a strong predictive value in non-hypertensive individuals. Future longitudinal studies should validate sNFL’s efficacy in various populations and explore the underlying mechanisms of its relationship with hypertension and CVD.