Publications & Posters

Neurofilament Light in Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid of HIP Fracture Patients with Delirium

DEMENTIA AND GERIATRIC COGNITIVE DISORDERS

Halaas NB, Blennow K, Idland AV, Wyller TB, Raeder J, Frihagen F, Staff AC, Zetterberg H and Watne LO

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2018 Dec 6;46(5-6):346-357

DOI: 10.1159/000494754.

This study was peformed using a Simoa® Homebrew assay.

Abstract

Background:

Delirium is associated with new-onset dementia, suggesting that delirium pathophysiology involves neuronal injury. Neurofilament light (NFL) is a sensitive biomarker for neuroaxonal injury.

Methods:

NFL was measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (n = 130), preoperative serum (n = 192), and postoperative serum (n = 280) in hip fracture patients, and in CSF (n = 123) and preoperative serum (n = 134) in cognitively normal older adults undergoing elective surgery. Delirium was diagnosed with the Confusion Assessment Method.

Results:

Median serum NFL (pg/mL) was elevated in delirium in hip fracture patients (94 vs. 54 pre- and 135 vs. 92 postoperatively, both p < 0.001). Median CSF NFL tended to be higher in hip fracture patients with delirium (1,804 vs. 1,636, p = 0.074). Serum and CSF NFL were positively correlated (ρ = 0.56, p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Our findings support an association between neuroaxonal injury and delirium. The correlation between serum and CSF NFL supports the use of NFL as a blood biomarker in future delirium studies.