This research paper, which explores the role of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Neurofilament Light chain (NfL) as a potential biomarker in concussion, a form of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is a leading cause of disability around the globe, with concussions being its most common and relatively benign variant. However, due to the nature of concussions, they are often under-diagnosed and misunderstood, which underlines the need for reliable biomarkers.
In our systematic review and meta-analysis, we delved into the treasure troves of PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases, leaving no stone unturned in our quest to understand the role of NfL in concussion. Our primary focus was to assess the levels of CSF or serum NfL in patients who have experienced concussion and head impacts, comparing them to control groups.
Out of the initial 617 studies we identified, we scrutinized 24 in our qualitative analysis and included 14 in our meta-analysis. The data unequivocally demonstrated a statistically significant increase in serum NfL in patients who had suffered from a concussion or head impacts compared to the control group (p = 0.0023). This finding underscores the potential role of NfL as a biomarker for concussions.
Taking a closer look at sub-group analyses, we discovered that sports-related concussions and mild TBIs were primarily correlated with increased serum NfL values. This emphasizes the risk faced by athletes and sports enthusiasts, with a significant association found between sports-related concussions and higher NfL levels (p = 0.0015). On the other hand, no association was identified for patients suffering from head impacts or military-related TBI.
To sum up, our research indicates that serum NfL levels are consistently higher in all patients suffering from concussion compared to healthy individuals. More specifically, sports-related concussions were associated with higher levels of NfL. These findings pave the way for further studies exploring the use of NfL as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in mild TBI and head impacts.
We believe our research opens up new avenues in understanding, diagnosing, and managing concussions. We eagerly anticipate further studies to reinforce our findings and contribute to more comprehensive and effective concussion treatment protocols.
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