High serum neurofilament associates with diffuse white matter damage in MS

The NfL(high) subgroup is comprised of patients with serum NfL above the median value of healthy controls (23.1 pg/mL). Logarithmic serum NfL was modeled separately by DTI indices of the entire and parcellated NAWM and volumetric brain MRI data using multiple regression analyses. Models were adjusted by sex, age, disease type (RRMS/SPMS), the EDSS score, treatment (no, first, and second line), and presence of relapses within 1 year before sampling (yes/no). The results are illustrated using dot and whisker plots in which red dots represent standardized regression coefficients and red lines represent the CIs of the estimates. Significant p values of the DTI parameters and the percentage of variance in the response that can be explained by the independent variables (R²) are also shown. The results were ordered according to the R² value. All except 2 of the p values (fractional anisotropy of the frontal and deep NAWM) shown in the figure remained significant after adjustment using the false discovery rate method for the number of investigated variables (n = 32). AD = axial diffusivity; DTI = diffusion tensor imaging; EDSS = Expanded Disability Status Scale; FA = fractional anisotropy; GMctx = cortical gray matter; MD = mean diffusivity; NAWM = normal-appearing white matter; NfL = neurofilament light chain; PF = parenchymal fraction; RD = radial diffusivity; RRMS = relapsing-remitting MS; SPMS = secondary progressive MS; WM = white matter.