About

Neurofilament

light chain analysis

Neurofilaments are part of the cytoskeleton of neurons and provide stability and structure to the axons. If there is damage to the nerve cells with destruction of the axons, the neurofilaments are released into the surrounding tissue in the brain.


Various diseases can lead to destruction of nerve cells in the brain such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or dementia.

Neurofilament light chains are a subunit of the neurofilament, which in this case can be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of diseased patients. It is known that there is an exchange of neurofilament light chains across the blood-brain barrier, which allows analysis of neurofilament concentration in the blood of patients. The new analytical technique - single molecule array (SIMOA) technology - allows detection of even the smallest amounts of neurofilament in blood. Measurement and assessment of neurofilament light chains in blood can therefore provide a measure of damage to axons in the central nervous system.

The Neuroimmunological Laboratory at the Center of Clinical Neuroscience at University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden offers the determination of neurofilament light chain levels. The analysis is performed on serum samples (9 ml tubes) from patients. Alternatively, analysis can be performed on EDTA plasma (9 ml tubes) or cerebrospinal fluid (4-5 ml).

Currently, the determination of neurofilaments is not part of the service catalog covered by health insurance. Therefore, it is possible that the analysis of the neurofilament concentration is not reimbursed by the health insurance.

If you would like a neurofilament analysis, please send us a sample to the Neuroimmunological Laboratory with the necessary accompanying documentation:

The sample can only be processed if both the claim for individual health benefits (IGEL) and the requisition form for neurofilaments are completed, signed and enclosed.
For requests from external hospitals, please use the Request for inpatients in external hospitals and the neurofilament request form.
Samples can be sent at room temperature. Please make sure that the shipment is sufficiently franked. We recommend sending the sample from Monday to Wednesday to ensure safe delivery.

Address for samples

Neuroimmunologisches Labor
Am Universitätsklinikum Dresden Carl Gustav Carus

Fiedlerstraße 34
Linkes Treppenhaus, 4. OG
01307 Dresden

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel.: 0351-458-18575
Fax: 0351-458- 7341
Downloads

Request Forms

Request form for ambulatory patients (PDF)
Request form for stationary and external patients (PDF)